Swindon v Walsall: Dean Smith looking forward to taking on best pal Ling

Dean Smith admits he is looking forward to locking horns with his close pal Martin Ling when Walsall take on Swindon tonight.

Ling, who made Smith his assistant while he was in charge of Leyton Orient, was appointed manager of the Robins earlier this month.

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It's still only November, but Swindon fans have had more than enough drama for one season.

For the third time in six seasons, the Robins tasted failure in the play-offs at the end of the 2014/15 campaign.

However, no other defeat had left the supporters quite so numb.

With arguably their most gifted team in recent memory, Town choked at Wembley in a 4-0 defeat to Preston.

And while a player exodus followed, most supporters felt there remained enough quality in the squad to challenge for promotion once again.

But the club turned into circus when, after eight games without a win, chairman Lee Power sacked boss Mark Cooper and put himself in temporary charge.

Unsurprisingly, Power wasn't able to turn around results so he turned to former Walsall scout Martin Ling.

That move managed to turn negative headlines into positive ones as Swindon handed a chance to a man who thought his days in management were numbered following a bout of depression.

Upon his arrival, Ling has tried to get them playing the kind of football that won them widespread acclaim last season.

And while he won his first official game in charge against Scunthorpe, that was following by Saturday's heavy 5-1 thrashing at struggling Fleetwood.

Now in the relegation zone, Ling's real aim for the season is to keep his young Swindon side in the division.

Injuries and loan limits are a real issue with Town having six temporary signings but with rules stating only five can play.

While the squad is also missing important players including defenders Kevin Stewart and Nathan Thompson as well as midfielder Jordan Williams.

Ling has confirmed he could ring the changes for tonight's game after the disappointment of Saturday's trip to Highbury Stadium.

"Anyone who didn't play in that game comes to the forefront of your thinking," the boss said.

"We need to fight against Walsall.

"They have been flying so we have to be at our best."

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Prior to that, the former midfielder spent two-and-a-half years out of the game after being admitted to The Priory with depression.

And Smith is delighted to see his close friend back.

"Martin is one of my closest friends in the game that's for sure," the Saddlers boss said.

"I spent four years playing alongside him at Orient and then five years as a coach and in our first year together we got promoted to League One.

"He's been very open about the troubles he's had off the pitch and it's great that he's out of that.

"I went to see him over the international break, he looks in a good place at the moment – although I'm not sure about the beard!

"It will be nice to catch up with him on Tuesday."

Smith can remember offering his support to Ling when his depression first began to take hold.

"When he first had the bout of it, I was on the phone to his wife and went over to visit him," he said.

"I remember he was having a bad day when he was manager of Cambridge and they were playing York away.

"He was suffering with anxiety. I was head of youth of Walsall at the time.

"I spoke to Chris Hutchings, the manager at the time, and said 'Do you mind if I shoot up there to see Martin?'

"He allowed me so I drove up all the way to York, paid to go in and watched behind the goal and then spoke to him for one minute after the game.

"But that's what you do for mates, to go and support them and help them through those times."

Despite being so close, Smith is determined to get one over his pal tonight.

"It's nice to see him back in football, which is where he belongs," the boss added.

"But tonight will be competitive, we want to get one over each other.

[interruptor]

"He's got one over me in appearances – I think he's got 10 more appearances than me, and one more goal – although he should have scored more goals.

"So it would be nice if I can get a win over him."