After a “frustrating” but encouraging 2-1 loss away to MK Dons in the FA Cup, Swindon centre back Stephan Negru believes “results like this show we are more than capable, to compete in the league.”
The Moldovan international has been a stalwart at the back for Ian Holloway’s Swindon Town side, since he signed in the summer from rivals Oxford United.
He has started all 16 games so far this season, becoming a fan favourite at the County Ground, making him one of the only consistent members of the Robins injury-ridden side.
After an eight game winless run spanning a whole month, things weren’t looking up for Holloway’s team, yet four games unbeaten have propelled the Robins back up to midtable, placing them 13th going into the second international break.
“Its not uncommon knowledge that we’ve had multiple injuries, but now we are getting more bodies in, its healthy competitiveness within the team to improve each other”.
The international break isn’t often an issue for League Two clubs, however Negru has been called up for the Moldovan national team for the second time in his career.
This November, he will be playing Kazakhstan at home, then travelling up to the Faroe Islands for a chilly encounter, where a win with likely put them in prime position to get out of Nations League League 3.
“It’s going to be cold, we can get the three points that are needed for Moldova, and get back here where its not that much warmer anyway”.
The Tricolorii have conceded eight goals in four matches, so Negru’s call up might bring the 24 year old his first start in Yellow, which would be “an absolute honour” for the young man.
His only other minutes came against Cyprus in March this year in a friendly where he came on at half time, so any minutes this week will be his first competitive minutes for Moldova.
“I’d say League Two is more physical and international football is more technical, but any experience I can learn from it, I’m looking forward to.”
Bad news for Swindon fans however, as he is missing his first games in the red and white, as he is away for the fixture against Plymouth in the Jersey Mikes and the Grimsby clash at the County Ground this Saturday, which he admits is definitely “frustrating, but its an honour to represent your country, so I can’t back down from that.”
“I trust in the capability of the lads we have in this team to do the job whilst I’m away.”
