Paolo Di Canio: Swindon played like Barcelona at Stoke

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Paolo Di Canio

Swindon Town manager Paolo Di Canio has described their League Cup second round win over Stoke as one of the best results in the club's history.

The Robins squandered a 2-0 half-time lead but won 4-3 in extra-time.

"As a perfectionist, I did not enjoy conceding three goals," Di Canio told BBC Wiltshire.

"But we have to put this game as one of the best in the club's history. In the first half, it looked like Stoke City against Barcelona."

He continued: "I don't want to exaggerate but I have to say this. It was a shame we went in at half-time with only two goals. It should have finished 5-6.

"To win like we did, you have to have fantastic quality and spirit. Those lads deserve this result. It was a good and fair result for them after what they did in the game."

Swindon secured the League Two title last season, in Di Canio's first year in charge, and have continued their brilliant form this term.

They demolished Championship side Brighton 3-0 in the first round of the Capital One Cup and so far remain unbeaten in League One.

James Collins, one of seven signings made by Di Canio this summer, netted the winner against the Potters to complete his hat-trick.

And although the Italian was delighted with Collins's efforts, he reserved praise for his strike partner, Andy Williams.

"From the fans' point of view, the hat-trick was the best, but Andy did an amazing job, too," said Di Canio.

"He missed a goal at the end because he was tired but the way he extended my team and the way he pulled his opponents with his run, it was something special."

Di Canio concluded: "All I can say is thanks to them. They are warriors. I remember about a year ago I called them my Chihuahuas, but now they are warriors."

Swindon will find out their third-round opponents on Thursday night.

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84 comments

  • Di Canio is a legend and it wont be long before he is taped up by a club in the top two divisions.
    Swindon fans enjoy while you can

  • @EatMyGoal
    I must have missed it when Barca conceded 3 to Stoke City

    Di Canio actually said "In the first half, it looked like Stoke City against Barcelona." At half-time score was 2-0 Swindon.

    Please try harder!!

  • Di Canio is honest, passionate, and is showing a huge potential as a top line manager. He's still regarded as a legend at West Ham and is always assured of a warm welcome. His players obviously enjoy playing under him, he gets the best out of them. I suspect that most of the sour grapes on this thread come from the potteries.

  • How long before we see Barca being likened to Swindon? :)

  • "Haha i got to laugh but when have Bristol City, Huddersfield and Brighton been 'Big Guns' ?"

    Huddersfield were the first team to ever win the top division 3 years in a row - it has only been equalled twice since. That's the equivalent of premier league champions 3 years running. Admittedly, it was between 1923 and 1925, but back then they were the biggest gun around. Apology accepted.

  • 8 "Good result for Swindon....pity you couldn't beat Oxford last season"

    1. Swindon went up without those 6 points
    2. Oxford didn't make the play-offs with them

    :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

  • Does this make Swindon better than Arsenal?

  • Paolo - '' I don't want to exaggerate but it was like Stoke v Barcelona ''
    Gotta love his misguided view of life after one away victory against those mighty magicians,Stoke City - lol

  • Why do people think he is getting carried away?

    No doubt either Stoke Fans or have just read the headline. Swindon dominated Stoke like Barca do to other teams in the first half, they barely touched the ball. Its a pretty simple comment that some fail to grasp.

    A club like stoke has no football talent and their fans are a disgrace for booing Ramsey.

  • Yes..... thats right just like Barca...... dont think your getting a little carried away there?

  • I'll have a pint of what Di Canio was drinking last night please........or was he smoking something??

  • You played like Barcelona,next you will be saying that Stoke City are not physical,please open your eyes and smell the coffee....

  • Some facts.
    1. Stoke rhymes with joke.
    2. di Canio is a throwback to an era where honesty (good, bad and ugly) mattered more than image control.
    3. Swindon have a proud history of Cup upsets.
    4. Stoke still rhymes with joke.

  • As good as Swindon were, let's face it Stoke can make most teams look like Barcelona!!!

  • 13 "Does this make Swindon better than Arsenal?"

    They certainly were in the 1969 League Cup final! Look it up, young 'un!

  • I watched the highlights and didn't nod off once - so nothing like Barca

    ;-P

    Who do you want to see relegated from the Premier League?
    Liverpool

    Replace with:
    Everton A
    Everton Ladies
    Marine

  • @6 "Who do you want to see relegated from the Premier League?"

    1. Liverpool (most arrogant team ever)
    2. Tottenham (almost as arrogant as LFC)
    3. Sunderland (can't stand O'Numpty)

    Replace with: Port Vale, Cowdenbeath & Airbus UK

  • Well its always nice to see a lower league team beat a premier league side

  • 13.Spurs4ev3r

    No because Stoke played a much weaker side against Swindon than they did against Arsenal. They did bring on a few big guns towards the end but the match was largely gone by then. Stoke have small squad & made the decision that the Capital One Cup is not a priority. Only 9k fans turned up which suggests Stoke aren't shedding too many tears at having this monkey off their back

  • Stoke have pushed the boundaries of what is acceptable in the PL. They definitely tackle too tough and should pick up more bookings and sendings off at home.

    when you buy players just because they have a good long throw (Geoff Cameron) it is pretty rubbish as 90% of the game is played with your feet.

    It is good that the PL have forced minimum pitch sizes - Stoke will find it harder now.

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