Suffering Swindon back to their best in win over Hull

Could Swindon have had any worse preparation for this game?

Coaching staff self-isolating after positive coronavirus tests – also resulting in boss Richie Wellens being unable to attend Saturday’s game, an injury-ravaged squad (meaning they could name just four outfield players on their bench), and perhaps suffering from some rustiness having played no matches in 11 days.

That, on top of the fact they’re winless in five games, was a daunting prospect for Noel Hunt, the Robins boss for the game on Saturday. Even he, the former Reading and Leeds striker, hadn’t been at the training ground for most of the week, with academy coaches and the likes of Mathieu Baudry, Paul Caddis, Brett Pitman and Anthony Grant taking turns in leading the squad.

So, when they went 1-0 down thanks to a Keane Lewis-Potter goal after 16 minutes, the very few people in the stadium and the thousands watching at home were undoubtedly expecting the worst.

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The equaliser came from an unlikely source after right-back Paul Caddis smashed home a quick, clever corner routine from Jonny Smith. The 32-year-old, who is yet to score during his second spell for Swindon, found himself in space inside the box and drove the ball in off the underside of the crossbar.

The Robins were comfortable in possession, something we’ve become accustomed to under Wellens, with the Wiltshire side retaining 71% of the ball in the first half. But, other than the goal, they struggled to break down a Hull side who had kept six clean sheets in nine games before today.

Noel Hunt has clearly got a knack for half-time team talks and, after his first one in management, his side came out for the second-half looking like the one we saw last season.

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Jack Payne, Jonny Smith, Joel Grant and Hallam Hope, who were drafted into the starting 11 just 20 minutes before kick-off due to an injury to Tyler Smith, were combining well for some superb passages of play, including the winner.

The goal started from on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper Matej Kovar and, after the ball fizzed through the pitch like the fireworks that will be lighting up the sky next week, Hallam Hope’s deft touch into Joel Grant’s feet was the penultimate action in what turned out to be the winning goal. All that was left to do was the finish and, on his Swindon debut, Grant did so with aplomb to make it 2-1.
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With Richie Wellens rumoured to be on his way to League Two side Salford City, despite his instances that this isn’t the case, Swindon will be encouraged at their ability to win without him, especially in the manner that they did. Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt