Cooper expects hostile atmosphere at Kenilworth Road

Swindon Town boss Mark Cooper is anticipating a hostile atmosphere when his side travel to Luton Town in the Capital One Cup on August 11.

The League One side finished eighth last season and on hearing their first round opponents, Cooper said: “They had a fantastic season last year and they’re back in the Football League.

“The manager’s done a fantastic job getting teams out of the Conference so it will be a stiff test.

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“When you go to Kenilworth Road it’s always a hostile atmosphere and I’m sure it will be no different on that night.

“It’s always a tough place to go as a player and as a manager so I’m looking forward to it.”

After running away with the Skrill Premier title last season, Cooper sees no reason why Hatters can’t be a success in the Football League too.

He continued: “It’s a difficult tie, they flew out of the Conference last year, they will have plenty of money to spend and they have got a manager (John Still) who is very clever in the lower leagues.

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“I’m sure they will be a force to be reckoned with in League Two, and with us being away from home it will be a tough tie, but it’s a tie that you look at and it gives both teams a realistic chance of going through.

“We’ll want to go and give a good account of ourselves early on in the season that’s for certain.”

Cooper also felt that with Hatters given an away match at Carlisle to start the season with, it will increase the expectation amongst supporters.

Speaking before the fixture list was announced, he added: “It’s the perfect way to get the new season underway, if Luton are given an away fixture tomorrow when the fixtures come out, it could be their first home game back in league football.

“I’m sure their fans will come out in numbers for that, they’ve been waiting five years for it and it’s a really well supported club.

“I’m sure it will be a good tie.”