Garner targeting FA Cup run with Swindon Town

BEN GARNER is targeting a successful FA Cup run with Swindon Town as his side travel to face League One Crewe Alexandra tomorrow afternoon in the first round of the competition. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker spoke to the Swindon Town Head Coach this morning.

The Robins kick off their FA Cup campaign at The Mornflake Stadium tomorrow with a trip to League One bottom-dwellers Crewe. But despite the hosts poor league form, Garner admits Swindon will have to be at their best if they want to progress in the competition.

“We want to go to Crewe and win tomorrow. I have great memories of the competition as a kid and I always remember FA Cup final day being a fantastic day growing up and the atmosphere around it,” said Garner.

"I have some great memories and throughout my career they have always been great occasions, hopefully tomorrow is another one.

“Crewe have good players and are a League One team who over the years have had a business model and an identity. They still have some very good players and know the threats they will pose.

“They are trying to get some momentum into their season and they will be desperate to win. I’m sure it will be a good game and it’s one we are looking forward to.

“I never look too much into a cup draw and once the draw is made it’s about focusing on it and making the best of it,” added Garner.

The re-introduction of FA Cup replays this season means that a draw would see the two sides meet at the County Ground later on, but with an already packed schedule Garner is seeking a win inside 90 minutes.

“Crewe have a good mix to their game and some really good footballers with the ability to go more direct as well,” he said.

“They have players that can come on and they have a good mix to their game with good creativity in the way they attack and play different shapes and formations.

“We have looked at them in detail and know the challenges we will face but are also positive we can cause them problems and go there and win the game.

"I think every game for Crewe is one they are trying to win because they are trying to get momentum into their season,” he said.

“A win in the cup could inject some life into their league form and we know we have to play to our very best levels to win the game.

“That will be our focus and that we control what we can control and that our mentality is right to allow our performance levels to be as high as they can possibly be.

“We want to win the game in 90 minutes and get to the next round,” added Garner.

As the oldest national football competition in the World, the magic of the FA Cup is felt by fans, players, and pundits alike. But Garner insisted there is no added hunger from players to feature in the prestigious cup and insisted his team are determined to win every game regardless of the competition.

“With our group there is an eagerness to play in every competition and that is a massive credit to the squad,” he said.

"Whatever competition we have played in so far the atmosphere and intensity has been exactly the same.

“There has been no difference and we prepare in exactly the same way.

“We want to be consistent in our approach and win every game we play,” he added.

“We want to do well in every competition we are in, finishing high up the League Two table, progress as far in the FA Cup and EFL Trophy as well,

“Sometimes we rotate the team to do that but whatever team we put out we feel they can win the game.

“There is different players who will play in different competitions and they deserve those opportunities.

“The squad we have got is capable of doing that. We want to progress in the cup tomorrow,” said Garner.

Failing to progress past the first round of the cup on the last two attempts, Swindon face an uphill task as they seek to avoid another opening round exit, a task made harder with the Robins without first-choice centre-back Romoney Crichlow.

“Romoney Crichlow’s ankle is still swollen. He has been in a protective boot all week and we are waiting for the swelling to go down and then it is a case of rehab. 

“He is certainly unavailable for tomorrow and then we will look to get him back as quick as possible.

“We’ve had a couple of little knocks in training and nothing too major so I would expect everyone to be available tomorrow and I am expecting everyone to be available.

“The loan players we want to play tomorrow we have permission for them to play in the FA Cup from their parent teams,” said Garner.