Oxford United will face Swindon Town in a league match tomorrow for the first time at the Kassam Stadium. Their previous meeting at the ground was an FA Cup 2nd round tie in 2002. It is fair to say that United fans have been eagerly awaiting this fixture since it was announced back in June last year. With the game sold out months ago, it should be a rippling and vociferous atmosphere. The away fixture, which Oxford won under the blazing August sunshine, was a tremendous event. The intensity, suspense and excitement that come with a derby game set them apart from any ordinary fixture.
Moreover, Oxford’s chief rivals are absolutely flying. Town impressed in the encounter earlier in the season, playing some attractive and intricate football. In truth, the U’s rode their luck and were fortunate to win that game. Swindon suffered a blip after the derby game, with charismatic manager Paolo Di Canio having an on-field altercation with former loan striker Leon Clarke during a league cup game against Southampton. Critics of the enigmatic Italian wrote that the impassioned Di Canio was not cut out for the strains and demands of management. However, Di Canio gradually proved his doubters wrong as he began to instil his winning mentality on his side. Swindon started to rise up the League 2 table, first into the play-offs and then into the automatic places. Town currently sit at the top of the pile, having recently smashed a club record by winning ten league matches on the trot. With thirteen games remaining, Swindon seemed destined for an instant return to League 1. Di Canio’s side have enjoyed cup success too, defeating Premiership Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup 3rd Round and reaching the final of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy at Wembley.
As such, Swindon will approach the game full of confidence. Di Canio has dubbed the game bigger than the Lazio v Roma derby and so there is no doubt that he will have his players fired up and mentally prepared for the contest. Oxford, on the other hand, are stuttering towards the finish line, desperately trying to keep within touching distance of the in-form play-off pack. Manager Chris Wilder is frantically attempting to create a stable side, having bought in his customary handful of loanees during the January transfer window (including Mehdi Kerrouche from Swindon). Thus far these loan signings have proved more of a hindrance than a help to Oxford’s promotion charge. Worse still, United’s most talented player and creative spark, Peter Leven, has been ruled out of the match, while skipper Jake Wright is also a doubt.
As such, Oxford will have to rely on their battle-hardy endeavour to defeat a Swindon side that oozes class, skill and invention. James Constable, the man Di Canio encouraged to sign for Swindon in January, must be at his sharpest and most prolific if United are to complete an improbable double over their fiercest rivals.
Whatever the outcome, it should be a fantastic advert for League 2 football.
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