Ian Holloway: Swindon’s Struggling Boss Feels Like a 'Dead Man Walking'

Swindon Town’s manager Ian Holloway has made it clear he feels like a "dead man walking" if his team's fortunes don’t shift soon. Currently sitting 12th in League Two, the Robins have only managed three wins from their first eight matches and are winless in their last three outings. Holloway, who took the reins nearly two years ago, pointed out that injuries are a significant issue, with 14 players sidelined, which is nearly half the squad. "Dead. Man. Walking. That’s how it feels, but deep down I know a lot more than that, don’t I?" he told BBC Radio Wiltshire. "I understand the challenges we face, and I’ve been transparent about them." As Swindon prepares for their trip to Rochdale, Holloway is acutely aware of the team's struggles, particularly away from home where they are yet to secure a win this season. He emphasized that his players need support. "For them to have a chance, we desperately need something to go right immediately," he stated. "If it doesn’t happen, I’ll still be cheering them on, but I can’t guarantee how many others will. They need help right now, and that’s what I’m focused on." Holloway expressed his commitment to advocating for what he believes the team deserves, admitting that the current tally of 11 points is disappointing. "We wanted much more. We’ve got 10 points at home but only one on the road, and that must change." He also revealed that he has never witnessed such a severe injury crisis at a club. As they head to Rochdale, captain Ollie Clarke and teammates Matty Virtue and Paul Glatzel have recently added to the injury woes. "Ollie might not make it, Matty’s not fit, and Glatzel has had some issues with his knee," Holloway noted, highlighting the growing list of absentees. The team is already missing several players, including Joe Snowdon, Ryan Tafazolli, Ollie Palmer, and others, while Mitch Clark serves a suspension and Sam Inwood is away on international duty. "If Louis Millard isn’t fit, we’re down to just 15 players," Holloway said, referring to the precarious state of his squad. Adding to the injury woes, midfielder Ben Middlemass is set for a lengthy recovery after needing surgery on a cartilage issue, which could sideline him for at least eight weeks but potentially up to 20. The situation is further complicated by the unknown status of full-back Joel McGregor, who is awaiting a specialist’s assessment. With several players likely to be out for an extended period, Holloway is concerned about the strain on those still available to play. "This injury crisis is unprecedented. The nature of these injuries will make recovery challenging, especially since many players missed out on pre-season training. We’re asking too much from those who are fit," he concluded.