Swindon Town hoping to get fans ‘off their bums and excited’

Gavin Gunning stated that during his interim tenure, he hopes to rekindle Swindon Town fans’ enthusiasm for their team.

The 33-year-old will take command of his first game in charge this Saturday when Bradford City visit the County Ground after replacing former Bradford captain Michael Flynn two weeks ago.

The Bantams are one spot above Swindon in the League Two table, but they have struggled since Christmas, drawing four and losing twice.

Gunning stated that he hoped to take advantage of the home atmosphere, and that it was his and his players’ obligation to get the crowd up and enthused about watching them play.

He remarked, “I believe that when we are at home, we must take the initiative; if we concede, that is great, but let us give it our best shot.

“I don’t understand the sense of playing sideways and backwards at home.

“You have to use what you have around you, which is why I believe it is really vital. I know the fans are unhappy, but let’s get together on a Saturday and drive the squad ahead.

“Bradford will be a very physical side, they will be looking to get the ball to Andy Cook who is one of the premier strikers in the league.”

Gunning stated that the key to Swindon’s ability to turn their fortunes around following a string of poor performances that saw Flynn fired will be the players’ belief in their own skills and what he is trying to encourage them to do.

He stated, “It will be a difficult game, but hopefully we will get the fans off their bums and excited to come and watch us.”

“But that is just words; unless the players go out there and demonstrate it, I can say in all of the interviews that we are going to do this or that.” The players must believe in it and perform on Saturday.

“Whether they go 1-0 down after 20 seconds or 1-0 up after 20 seconds, if we are 2-1 down after 89 minutes and trying to win the game, they must believe in themselves and the process.” That is plain and simple.”