Swindon boss Holloway wary of stylish Bluebirds

[Huw Evans Picture Agency] Swindon Town boss Ian Holloway insists he would be "delighted" if the League Two side repeat last season's 2-1 defeat by Cardiff City in the EFL Cup. The Bluebirds, who thrashed Italian giants Roma 4-1 in their final pre-season friendly last weekend, kick off the season against the Robins at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday (15:00 BST). The teams met at the same stage in the 2025-26 competition, when goals by Cian Ashford and Rubin Colwill earned Cardiff victory on their way to the quarter-finals, where they were beaten by Chelsea. Brian Barry-Murphy's men went on to earn a return to the Championship at the first attempt as League One runners-up. "They have got almost exactly the same squad and look how well they have done," Holloway told BBC Radio Wiltshire . "Their manager worked with Pep Guardiola and you can see it in their style. Brian is a wonderful fellow and he is trying to do it his way. "We lost 2-1 last season, if we get anything close to that then I'll be delighted. In the first half we let them have it (possession), which we won't be doing again. "They might play around us and get through us – they have done it already to teams who are a lot better than us – but we will see where we can go."