Peterborough United manager Luke Williams is a big fan of Vertu Trophy opponents Swindon Town.
Williams cut his managerial teeth at Swindon a decade ago so there is an obvious emotional attachment, but he’s also an admirer of the club’s current squad who sit second in League Two.
It’s a big game in Tuesday (7.30pm kick off) for Williams and Posh as they seek to bounce back from two successive League One defeats. Being the holders and a club seeking a three-peat also brings pressures ahead of a last-32 tie.
“I’ve been back to Swindon a number of times,” Williams revealed. “I have some great memories of my time there. I loved it among some great people and it was a perfect opportunity for me to learn and grow. There were lots of ups and downs, but it was still a brilliant experience. I am looking forward to going back, to have a good time and hopefully to win.
“It’s an important game for us after losing a couple of matches. We are taking the game seriously. It’s a brilliant competition and it’s starting to heat up now we are in the knockout stages.
“I must get the team selection right as I don’t want to be disrespectful for the competition, but I need to try and use the squad appropriately, as I would with any game. It’s madness to keep on playing the same players week in week out. I need to know who I can rely on and after those two defeats I am looking for a very positive response.
“It’s a very tough game though as Swindon could compete in League One now. They can do a bit of everything, They can play football, but they are not a soft touch either.”
Swindon have already knocked in-form League One side Rotherham United out of the FA Cup to earn a home second round tie this weekend at home to Bolton Wanderers.
Posh central defender David Okagbue can expect to see some action, while there should be more minutes for Declan Frith who impressed as a substitute at Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.
Williams started his Swindon career as assistant manager to former Posh boss Mark Cooper in 2013 and helped the team reached the League One play-off final in the 2014-15 season.
Williams became caretaker manager at the County Ground in December 2015 and was then appointed full-time boss the following year. He left Swindon at the end of the 2016-17 season after relegation to League Two.
