TOWN v VILLA: Poor start means nothing for Paolo (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

TOWN v VILLA: Poor start means nothing for Paolo

6:00am Tuesday 30th October 2012 in Sport By Andy Warren

SWINDON boss Paolo Di Canio is not reading too much into Aston Villa’s poor start to the season as the two sides prepare to clash in the Capital One Cup this evening.
 

Paul Lambert’s side sit 17th in the Premier League having won only one of their opening nine games, after a major overhaul of the squad and a number of key injuries forced them to rely on a host of young players.
 

But despite their poor form Di Canio will not treat the Midlanders lightly, because he knows Lambert will turn things around in the near future.
 

“They are obviously a Premier League side who are two leagues above us, and it will be a tough game,” he said.
 

“Statistics give you an idea but don’t give you why it happened, and it is the worst start in many years for them.
 

“They have changed a lot and have a new system and a new manager, and when you change a lot you can pay the price.
 

“But once again we are talking about players like Bent, Agbonlahor and many others, and this is only a bad moment for them because they have injuries.
 

“They will go out from this moment in time because Paul is an experienced manager with good quality who did something already.
 

“But the game will be very tough for sure.”
 

Di Canio believes tonight’s game will be a tactical affair, but has backed his players to transfer his words onto the pitch.
 

“The word that counts is how the players interpret the situation in this kind of game, tactically it is important,” he said.
 

“They are quick and sharp and have quality, and they have top level players.
 

“It is obvious there is a psychological battle of managers, but it is the players who make the difference.
 

“Sometimes, if you are not an intelligent manager you can fall in a trap and you can make mistakes of not 100 per cent commitment or enthusiasm.
 

“The manager counts a lot in reading who from your side can, because he has talent, perform in a big match.”