'Perfect start for Holloway' – Swindon Town vs Colchester United prediction: The72
10/31/2024 05:49 AM
Swindon Town and Colchester United meet in the FA Cup on Saturday as both sides look to find joy away from League Two action.
Swindon Town will have new boss Ian Holloway in the dugout for the first time as they face Colchester United with the Robins hoping the managerial veteran can inspire a turnaround at the County Ground.
Former QPR boss Holloway is back in the dugout for the first time since leaving Grimsby Town in 2020.
A dismal start to the season under Mark Kennedy leaves the Robins 22nd in the League Two table and four points away from safety.
Nevertheless, Holloway will be hoping to improve the mood and an FA Cup run would help. Town have been knocked out in the first round in four of the last five seasons.
Colchester United will be out to find some rare joy in the country’s most prestigious cup competition too.
They’re just above this weekend’s opponents in 21st and are on the exact same points tally (12). The U’s have played a game less, but it makes for another disappointing start regardless.
Manager Danny Cowley has history in the FA Cup with Lincoln City but his current club have only made it past the first round once since 2016.
Here, a handful of our writers make their predictions for the game…
James Ray
“Neither side have found much joy in the early stages of this season and they’ve not got the best track records in the FA Cup either. It makes this one a tough one to predict.
“However, Holloway certainly would have made his presence felt at Swindon Town early on. It could make things tough for Cowley and Colchester United if the new Robins boss has quickly lifted the mood and implemented his tactics.
“I do think the new manager bounce comes into play here, and Swindon will be hoping they can carry that into the league. I’ll say this ends in the perfect start for Holloway.”
Prediction: Swindon Town 2-1 Colchester United
Harry Mail
“Swindon Town players will be keen to impress new boss Holloway here. They secured a late draw against Gillingham last time out in the league so that should give them confidence.
“It has been a tough start to the season for the Robins and although League Two is their priority, an FA Cup run would give them the chance to play a team from a higher division.
“As for Colchester United, they are sat in 21st place and it hasn’t been the best campaign for them so far.
“They lost 2-1 at home to Salford City in their last match and I can see them getting dumped out of the cup here.”
Prediction: Swindon Town 3-1 Colchester United
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