Can Swindon Town make an end-of-season push to secure promotion into League One, and can new signing Charlie Austin help?
When it comes to football, it can be easy to think it begins and ends with the Premier League. Sure, it’s a division filled with talent and followed by legions of adoring fans, who snap up merch and Tottenham e tickets in earnest, but there’s a whole world of football out there beyond the top flight.
The lower divisions, such as the Championship, League One, and League Two, are just as dramatic and exciting as the Premier League. Could League Two side Swindon Town secure promotion this season, and could new signing Charlie Austin help them? Let’s find out.
Austin Returns to the UK
Austin began his career at Reading in 2005 and has since made an appearance at a number of different clubs throughout the English football pyramid. In 2022, he made the move from Queens Park Rangers across the world to Brisbane Roar in Australia where, after just six months, he made the decision to return to the UK.
The highly experienced and versatile striker was no doubt on the radar of many clubs back home, but it was Swindon Town who eventually secured Austin’s signature, signing the forward on a deal until the end of the season.
Not His First Rodeo
It’s not Austin’s first time at the club. He played for Swindon Town from 2009 to 2011, scoring 31 goals in 54 appearances, making him something of a legend at The County Ground.
Fans will be hoping the experienced striker will be able to give the club the boost it needs to reach the next level. Will Austin be able to drive the team forward and secure a promotion spot? Find out below.
Where are Swindon Town in the League?
Swindon Town are currently sitting in 11th position in the League Two table. They have collected 45 points from 31 matches played, winning 12, losing 10, and drawing nine. Unfortunately, the Robins’ recent form hasn’t been great, going without a win for four consecutive games.
Is a Push for Promotion Realistic?
We’re well over halfway through the season, with 17 games left to play. Swindon Town are currently within five points of making it into the playoff spots, and within 10 points of an automatic promotion place.
Swindon Town has some crucial games coming up next month, including an away fixture against top-of-the-table Leyton Orient, and a home tie against fourth-placed Stockport County. If they want to push for a promotional spot, they are going to need to take as many points as possible. A draw away to an on-fire Leyton Orient wouldn’t be a bad result by any means, but realistically the club should be looking to take maximum points from every game they can.
Could Austin be the Key?
Since making his return to The County Ground, Austin has certainly hit the ground running. He scored on his debut in a 5 – 0 dismantling against Grimsby Town, and then rescued a point with a brace against Gillingham.
However, he has failed to find the back of the net since. Promotion is a team effort, but if Swindon Town want a chance of making it into League One, Austin needs to find his scoring shoes again.