One that got away

JON Obika would have been plotting to put Swindon to the sword tonight, had Athletic manager Lee Johnson managed to land him.

Instead it’s as one of the opposition that the former Tottenham prospect will bid to inflict damage at the County Ground.

“We were interested in Obika, but missed out,” Johnson confessed of the 23-year-old striker. “They’ve got threats all over the pitch - but we feel we have, too.”

The forward Athletic did bring in — former Leeds forward Dominic Poleon — will start his third game under Lee Johnson as he bids to get off the scoring mark.

Johnson sees Poleon as a work in progress, equally capable of playing wide or centrally up front.

“His pace and power are a real threat,” said Johnson, “though there are loads of things he needs to improve on.

“Tactically, he’s better than I thought he would be. He is a powerful player and we need to coach him to the point where I think he will be worth a lot of money.”

Obika has already hit the goal trail for his manager Mark Cooper. The speedy forward struck twice on Saturday and helped Swindon to pick up a hard-fought 2-1 win at Bradford.

Johnson believes his team is in for a stiff test tonight, particularly in midfield.

“They are a good side,” he added. “I really like their midfield, which has some top-quality players.

“I like the manager Mark Cooper and he has done well. He’s a good guy. We have had a decent record against them recently, but it doesn’t mean anything.”

Swindon finished last season eighth, eight points short of the play-offs. This time the form suggests they could improve on that.