Swindon’s away following inspires Minturn

YOUNG Swindon Town defender Harrison Minturn is relishing the opportunity of playing in front of another big away following as the Wiltshire side head to Milton Keynes Dons this afternoon.

The Dons, with former Newcastle defender Mike Williamson in charge having made the switch from the manager’s role at Gateshead, are four points and seven places behind Swindon in League Two.

Michael Flynn’s side have been in and around the challengers for the promotion places so far this season, but have slipped down to ninth after taking just one point from their last two matches.

Minturn, however, is enjoying the ride regardless: “It is really exciting for me to be playing in front of such a great away following.

“It should help to give me that extra few per cent in performance.

“I definitely feel more comfortable now than I used to. I am becoming more vocal, but I definitely have to leave giving dressing room dressing downs to the older lads.”

Minturn, right, recently penned a new contract, and said of the experience: “The manager just pulled me to one side after training one day and said they had been working on a new deal for me. It does take some of the pressure off to not be worrying about the future and I can focus on my development.”

Cheltenham Town boss Darrell Clarke insists he is not going into games waiting for the opposition to have a go at the Robins in their fight to escape relegation.

Clarke’s men scored twice away to Blackpool in midweek, although ultimately went down 3-2.

Today they visit the manager’s former side Port Vale, who are in poor form despite being well above Town in the League One table.

Clarke said: “We’ll be having a right good go away from home, not sitting in waiting to be beat.

“We want to have a right good go at teams and, if things aren’t working, we’ll change things to try to turn things around.”