Wilder wants repeat performance (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

SWINDON TOWN: Wilder wants repeat performance

6:00am Wednesday 5th September 2012 in Sport

OXFORD boss Chris Willder is hopeful his side can repeat last season’s success and claim derby-day bragging rights over Swindon once again this evening.

The Us left the County Ground with a 2-1 victory in August before beating Town 2-0 at the Kassam Stadium in March, and went on to finish ninth as Swindon won the League Two title.

Wilder, who has been heavily linked with the vacant managerial position at Coventry City, is envious of the players Town boss Paolo Di Canio has at his disposal, but believes that all goes out the window in local derbies.

“Whatever team we put out will be up against it because they’ve signed quality players from Championship clubs,” he said.

“It’s a tough one for us but in a local derby it goes out the window.

“It did last year when we had two fabulous performances and results.

“It won’t be a case that we’ll be up for this more because we’re up for every game, but it’s a local derby so you can’t hide away from that.”

The Oxford boss is without the injured Michael Duberry, Peter Leven, Andy Whing, Liam Davis, Harry Worley and Sean Rigg for tonight’s game, and Town loanee Lee Cox is not allowed to play against his parent club.

Former Town target James Constable is set to return to the side though, and Wilder is content to go with what’s available.

“I just have to pick the best possible side with what we’ve got,” he said. “I think that question goes out the window really because we haven’t got the ability to make many changes with a few players still unavailable.”