I know it’s only the Vertu Trophy (I genuinely didn’t know it was now called that, by the way), but games against Swindon Town are always hotly anticipated.
It’s a big deal for the fans, regardless of what competition it’s in. So to come away on the wrong end of the result, and to be served another Jekyll and Hyde kind of performance, really stings.
The bragging rights, for now, go to the red corner – but here’s how the Loyal Royals reacted to the game…
Losing to the Robins
It’s just the kind of game that we all hate losing.
And the thing with local derbies is that it heightens reactions and elevates emotions.
The away end was a tense place to be on Tuesday evening, much more so than if this were at against West Ham United’s under-21s for example. I mean, more than 1,000 fans wouldn’t have made an away trip for that one.
Whether you play badly or not, it’s just the kind of game you have to win…
Noel Hunt
It was the kind of game, depending on the result, that Noel Hunt either desperately needed or desperately didn’t need – i.e. a win would’ve bought him a bit more time and patience, but losing has done the complete opposite.
Whether it was questioning his choice of starting XI against one of our biggest rivals – with 11 days until our next game – or bemusement at his in-game tactics, most of the fans were not happy with what Hunt offered…
Conclusion
A chastening evening, and if he wasn’t already, Hunt will be feeling the pressure now.
The reaction has obviously been heightened by the fact that we’ve lost to Swindon. Anyone else and yes it would be bad, but I feel there would be more of a ‘it’s only the EFL Trophy’ narrative.
Now there’s a bit of time until our next game, and a lot of time on the training pitch for Noel and this group of players, which looks like something that’s desperately needed.
