Ian Holloway on Bristol Rovers history and Swindon challenge

Ian Holloway discussed his emotional connection to Bristol Rovers, a club that overlooked him for the manager's job multiple times, as his Swindon side prepare to visit the Memorial Stadium.

Ian Holloway has spoken about his complex history with Bristol Rovers ahead of his return to the Memorial Stadium with Swindon Town this Saturday. The Swindon manager reflected on being repeatedly overlooked for the Rovers job in the past while focusing on the current task of ending his own side's inconsistent run.

Holloway, who played for and later managed Rovers, was asked about the emotional pull of the club. "The fact of it is, I was given a job here and they had an opportunity to give me a job, what, five, six, seven times in a row," Holloway said. "They never chose me, never even wanted to speak to me." He added that his attachment stems from his playing days and the connection with supporters, stating, "Why am I still hooked to them?" He was clear about his current priorities, however, saying, "I work for Swindon and that's all that matters to me."

Rovers' winless run and league context

Bristol Rovers head into the fixture in 16th place in League Two, having taken 15 points from their opening 12 matches. Their recent form has been a significant concern, with five consecutive defeats in all competitions. This run includes last Saturday's 2-1 home loss to league leaders Salford City, a result that leaves Rovers ten points adrift of the summit.

Holloway acknowledged the precarious nature of the league, noting that "everything is so close in the division." He stressed the need for his Swindon team to manage the occasion, saying, "We've got to try and now deal with can we get the result coming in." He pointed to basic defensive principles as key, adding, "We've got to mark in the box, we've got to make sure we clear it properly."

Squad fitness and running stats

The Swindon manager provided updates on several players, revealing that his physio is concerned about an unspecified knee issue for one individual. He confirmed that another player, Palmer, is set to return to grass training next week. "Running stats were outstanding in the last two games, with Billy Kirkman over 12K and in the 1000 club for high speed," he said.

Looking ahead, Swindon Town's next fixture after this weekend is away at Newport County on Tuesday, 28 October. The match this Saturday represents a chance for Bristol Rovers to halt their slide and climb the table. A victory could see them move above their visitors, with Swindon currently sitting one place higher in 15th. The fixture is scheduled for Saturday, 24 October at the Memorial Stadium, a ground where Rovers will be desperate to rediscover a winning feeling. The full schedule for the coming weeks is available on the club's fixtures page.