Swindon Town

Darlington 1-2 Swindon
Two early goals were enough to extend Swindon's 100% start to the season and put them top of League Two. Chris Roberts was fouled by Patrick Collins on five minutes and Paul Evans stepped up to curl in the free-kick. Dennis Wise's side quickly doubled their lead when Roberts slipped in at the back post to convert Lee Peacock's flick-on after Andy Monkhouse's cross. Gaetano Giallanza tapped home just before half-time to give Darlington hope but the Robins held on. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Darlington: Russell, Holloway (Close 72), Collins, Hutchinson, James, Cummins, Ngoma, Duke, Giallanza (Wainwright 81), Conlon, Smith (Joachim 67). Subs Not Used: Johnson, Stockdale. Booked: Ngoma, James, Close. Goals: Giallanza 45. Swindon: Brezovan, Jack Smith, Ifil, Williams, Vincent, Shakes, Evans, Weston, Monkhouse (Nicholas 52), Peacock (Brownlie 87), Roberts (Holgate 76). Subs Not Used: Onibuje, Jutkiewicz. Booked: Ifil. Goals: Evans 6, Roberts 21. Att: 4,571. Ref: E Ilderton (Tyne & Wear).

Wise cautious after perfect start
Manager Dennis Wise hailed \"a fantastic start\" after Swindon's 2-1 win at Darlington meant they have the only remaining 100% record in League Two. But despite four straight wins, the Robins boss warned: \"There is a long way to go - as I have said before, it's a marathon, not a sprint. \"It was a hard battle towards the end, but in the first half we could have been three or four goals in front. \"I was also pleased with the way we defended and approached set pieces.\"

Wise expects decision from Ince
Swindon boss Dennis Wise expects midfielder Paul Ince to give him an answer about joining the club as player-coach on Friday. \"Incey is coming training again on Thursday but I'm sure we will know by Friday what his answer will be,\" Wise told his club's website. \"We would like to sign him and it would be nice to take him on board with us.\" Former England international Ince, 38, has also been linked to Birmingham, West Brom and Walsall. Ince was recently overlooked for the manager's post at Wolves after his playing contract expired in June. The midfielder criticised Wolves for allowing him to leave and stated that he was keen to move into coaching.

Swindon count cost of bad breaks
Swindon boss Dennis Wise lamented his team's luck after they came from two goals down only to lose to Brentford on penalties in the Carling Cup. \"It was an entertaining game. I think everyone enjoyed it, but we are disappointed at the end,\" said Wise. \"I thought we were better than them and created a lot of chances. Their keeper had a good game and there were times when they got the rub of the green. \"The goals we gave away were sloppy, but we didn't do our jobs.\"

Wise happy as 100% run continues
Boss Dennis Wise felt there were \"a lot of positives\" to take as Swindon continued their 100% start to the season by beating Stockport 2-0. \"The chances we created and the clean sheet pleased me,\" Wise said after the Robins' fifth consecutive win. \"More goals would have been nice, but I have no complaints. I was pleased with the fitness again as some of them had played 120 minutes on Tuesday. \"They are working for each other, but we can't take our foot off the pedal.\"

Swindon 2-0 Stockport
Swindon maintained their 100% start to the season under new boss Dennis Wise after beating struggling Stockport. Aaron Brown's left-footed free-kick gave Swindon the lead, with winger Ricky Shakes almost getting a second with a dipping strike that hit the bar. Welshman Christian Roberts was also unlucky just after the hour when his half-volley was deflected wide of the upright by Ashley Williams. Soon after Roberts cleverly sneaked a shot past keeper James Spencer. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Swindon: Brezovan, Jack Smith, Williams, Ifil, Nicholas, Shakes, Evans (Pook 78), Weston, Caton (Brown 19), Roberts, Peacock (Onibuje 85). Subs Not Used: Comyn-Platt, Jutkiewicz. Booked: Jack Smith. Goals: Brown 34, Roberts 63. Stockport: Spencer, Bowler, Williams, Owen, Robinson, Briggs, Dinning, Taylor, Malcolm (Bramble 45), Murray (Dickinson 75), Griffin (Rose 45). Subs Not Used: Raynes, Deasy. Booked: Taylor, Dickinson. Att: 6,868 Ref: K Friend (Leicestershire).

Ince to give answer by Wednesday
Swindon boss Dennis Wise hopes Paul Ince will give him a decision about joining the League Two club as player-coach by Wednesday. Ince was in the stands at the County Ground for the Swindon's clash against Stockport on Saturday. \"I am going to have a chat with Incey. He's coming down this week again and hopefully have a decision by Wednesday,\" Wise told the club website. \"He's looked at things and seems to like what he sees.\" Former England midfielder Ince has been without a club since leaving Wolves in the summer.

League wage rules hamper Ince bid
Swindon's attempt to sign Paul Ince on a one-year deal has been hindered by the Football League's rules on wages. Boss Dennis Wise has said that he expects to sign the 38-year-old former England midfielder on Thursday. But League Two clubs are not permitted to spend more than 60% of their total turnover on player salaries. Director Bob Holt told Sir Stanley: \"The League insists we have to pledge more money to cover it and bring it back to the ratio they determine.\" That appears to be the only remaining option for the Robins, as they are currently close to the 60% limit and are unlikely to be able to sell or release players quickly enough to bring them under that limit if Ince signs the one-year deal he has now agreed. \"The club are speaking to the Football League and working hard to get things sorted,\" Wise told the club's website. Former England midfielder Ince has been without a club since leaving Wolves in the summer. Another League Two side, Hartlepool, have already been a victim of the 60% rule, which left them under a transfer embargo for a spell. Pools had to allow a number of players to leave Victoria Park, while funding from their owners was restructured to allow them to comply with League regulations.

Wise is handed managerial honour
Swindon Town boss Dennis Wise has been named as League Two's manager of the month for August. The Robins had a perfect 100% record in their five league games during August, enjoying wins over Hartlepool, Barnet, Rochdale, Darlington and Stockport. They also drew 2-2 with League One side Brentford in the Carling Cup, although the Bees won 4-3 on penalties. Other contenders for the award were Peterborough boss Keith Alexander and Walsall boss Richard Money.

Swindon striker nets player award
Swindon club skipper Christian Roberts has scooped the League Two player of the month for August. The striker has scored some vital goals as the Robins have romped to the top of the table, winning all of their six league fixtures so far. Roberts was on target in the victories over Darlington and Stockport. The other contenders for the award were Izale McLeod of Milton Keynes Dons, Martin Butler of Walsall and Wycombe Wanderers' Jermaine Easter.

Coventry boss Micky Adams said he is not surprised his former player Dennis Wise has proved to be a success as manager of League Two side Swindon. Wise took over the Robins in the summer and has led them to six wins from the opening six games of the season. \"It was a calculated risk for Dennis going into a division he didn't know a lot about,\" Adams told Sir Stanley. \"But it's not surprise he's done well. After all, he was a success at Millwall and took them to the FA Cup final.\" Wise was brought in by Adams in the second half of last season and scored a number of vital goals to help City finish eighth in the Championship. Adams added: \"Dennis felt Swindon were a team that should be challenging and should be in the top half of the league. It's pleasing to see him do so well. We miss him.\"

Wise urges Swindon to bounce back
Boss Dennis Wise urged Swindon to show their worth after their 100% start to the season was ended by Wrexham. The Dragons came from behind to win 2-1 on Saturday and Wise said: \"We have been beaten but now we have to bounce back as soon as we can. \"Thankfully we have a midweek game against MK Dons which will give us the chance to put in a better performance. \"I have a lot of quality in my dressing room but if we don't match other teams' effort we will find life difficult.\"

Swindon v MK Dons
Swindon welcome back defenders Jamie Vincent from an Achilles injury and Jerel Ifill after a one-match ban. Boss Dennis Wise could also be boosted by the return of midfielder Andy Monkhouse from a hamstring injury. An injury crisis has prompted MK Dons to add development coach Junior Lewis to their squad. Teenagers Ollie Thorn, 16, and James Nash, 17, are also included in an injury-hit squad, while Izale McLeod completes a three-match suspension.

Wise praise for resilient Swindon
Swindon boss Dennis Wise hailed his side's resilience after they came from behind to beat Milton Keynes Dons 2-1. \"We had the better chances, but then went a goal down when we shouldn't have,\" Wise explained. \"It was a tough battle, but that's the way (Milton Keynes boss) Martin Allen likes to play.\" Paul Ince made his Town debut, and Wise added: \"I was pleased with Incey - he did well, and Ady Williams was there to calm things down too.\"

Swindon 2-1 MK Dons
Swindon got back to winning ways and stayed topped of League Two with two penalties, having been a goal down. MK Dons took the lead when the hosts failed to clear a corner and Jon-Paul McGovern volleyed home. Swindon debutant Paul Ince won the first penalty after Dean Lewington brought him down and Jack Smith scored. Lewington then hauled down Andy Caton and Paul Evans stepped up to convert the second before Dons hit the woodwork late on with a shot from Ben Chorley. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Swindon: Brezovan, Jack Smith (Shakes 50), Nicholas, Ifil, Williams, Weston, Ince, Evans, Caton, Roberts (Onibuje 76), Peacock (Brownlie 90). Subs Not Used: Vincent, Brown. Booked: Roberts, Weston. Goals: Jack Smith 45 pen, Evans 56 pen. Milton Keynes Dons: Baines, Edds, Lewington, Diallo, Chorley, McGovern, Mitchell (Crooks 89), Andrews, Dyer, Platt (Taylor 67), Wilbraham (Hastings 83). Subs Not Used: Bankole, Lewis. Booked: Mitchell, McGovern, Lewington. Goals: McGovern 17. Att: 8,304 Ref: K Stroud (Hampshire).

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