Dead Man Walking - a column by Link STFC Correspondent Alfie Howlett

His words not mine. Ian Holloway’s Swindon might’ve enjoyed a brief flutter of early season exuberance, but they’ve quickly been sucked back into their 2026 spiral.

This leaves Holloway, as described, a dead man walking amongst the zombies and ghosts of STFC. It’s all very fitting for the spooky Halloween season.
In truth, Town’s gaffer probably would’ve succumbed to an earlier exit at most clubs after last season's collapse. But in vain his past achievements allowed him to fight another day.
Even on reflection it was the right decision, with Holloway averaging around a 50% win ratio in his long STFC tenure, only matched by the likes of Di Canio.
The problem is in football you’re only as good as your last game. In the past 23 league fixtures stretching back from October’s one-goal defeat to Crewe, Town averaged 1.09 points per game. Bottom half of the table form.
The dead man walking wasn’t shot down with a silver bullet; he took numerous blows. In fairness, injuries haven’t helped. Town haven’t been afforded the chance to pick a settled team, which their structure relies on.
But for a manager who’s best known for his motivation, the performances have been uninspiring. I said last time out, Town are one big away win from turning the corner, unfortunately they’re now travelling backwards at home. This leaves Holloway at the end of the road.
Change might inspire a snapshot of enthusiasm. Town’s full strength eleven, when fit, certainly are a top half team, so there are resources there. New managers are notoriously the quickest and easiest fit.
But Swindon themselves are a directionless football club led by uninspiring leadership. Any fresh ambition will quickly be eaten by away by a club rotting into the basement division.
Put this to Clem Morfuni, and he’d likely explain the positive progression which has been made under his ownership. And while there are elements to be championed, a lot are simply just a case of doing the basics.
Yes, that’s progression on the previous. However, championing the instalment of a big screen, which can only be seen with binoculars, is not something to boast about.
Morfuni had a golden opportunity when arriving at Swindon, almost viewed as the Messiah, he could do no wrong. Over four years later, he hasn’t gone above and beyond apart from not being Lee Power. I don’t see this changing anytime soon.
So, as fans we’re trapped in an unhappy marriage. One which never will feel complete, but for the most dedicated keep them coming back. It’s a relationship which a lot of football fans suffer from.
Ian Holloway and Swindon’s 2026 are just another victim. Sure, change could untangle the knots, but Town will continue the same path which has no direction in sight.
In trying to tie this together I’ve failed to end on a positive note, but I think that’s a fair reflection of how every Swindon fan feels right now. In fact, sometimes I can begin to understand why people spend their Saturdays in different ways!