SWINDON manager Paolo Di Canio believes the heavy pitch at the Broadfield Stadium will make it difficult for Town to earn their fourth straight 3-0 victory over Crawley tomorrow.

The Italian has gone head-to-head with the Red Devils three times during his short managerial career to date, and has won by three goals on each occasion, most recently in Town’s second league game of this season at the County Ground.

The two sides lock horns once again tomorrow in front of the Sky Sports cameras, but Di Canio is expecting tough conditions after Crawley’s midweek clash with Preston was postponed due a waterlogged pitch.

“We like the number three with them, three, three, three, could we have another one? This time, no,” Di Canio said.

“It’s difficult to play there, especially now with a wet pitch, it is difficult because we want to play football.

“We proved in our last game at Leyton Orient that we play a fast game on a nearly unplayable pitch, and the only side who want to play football, especially in the first half, was Swindon.

“If you want to play this kind of football and press high up the pitch you have to spend a lot of energy, and in the second half we paid the price a little bit.

“It will be very hard, they are a good side with quality we know, they play 4-4-2 and it is predictable in some way, but they have two or three individuals who can cause problems.

“They are close to the play-offs, so it will be tough, but we are going to play there and win the game to stay close to the top.”

Di Canio will have to manage without Matt Ritchie for the first time after the winger was sold to Bournemouth without his knowledge, but the Town boss was quick to focus his attention on the match after hearing the news.

“Since that moment until this morning I was thinking about Crawley, which players would give me quality in this area and how to use best the individuals I have got and how to win the game and get three points to stay close to the top,” he said.

“Something happened that gave me the chance to be angry and I put even more energy for the cause. My players need to do the same because they are very good professionals.

“We believe from now we can do a very good job.”