Swindon Town come to town on the back of a poor start to the campaign, and find themselves sitting second-bottom of the League Two table, at the time of writing.
The Robins have yet to win a game this season – having drawn two and lost two of their four games in the league.
They also lost 4-2 to Crawley Town in the Carabao Cup.
The Bluebirds in comparison have won three of their four league games, lost in the EFL Trophy in midweek, but have set up a massive Third Round Carabao Cup tie away to Premier League giants Chelsea, after beating Port Vale and Championship side Derby County in previous rounds.
Despite those differences in fortunes, Clemence isn’t getting too far ahead of himself, nor is he expecting an easy ride.
He told The Mail: “Swindon are obviously a big club.
As of this writing, Swindon Town is now ranked second-bottom in League Two, following a dismal start to the season.
After losing two and drawing two of their first four league games, the Robins have not yet claimed a victory this season.
In the Carabao Cup, they were defeated 4-2 by Crawley Town as well.
In contrast, the Bluebirds have won three of their last four league games, suffered a midweek loss in the EFL Trophy, but have secured a huge Carabao Cup Third Round visit to Premier League powerhouse Chelsea after defeating Port Vale and Championship team Derby County in the preceding rounds.
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Notwithstanding these disparities in luck, Clemence isn’t getting ahead of himself or anticipating an easy journey.
“Swindon are obviously a big club,” he said to The Mail.
It should be a difficult game since they have an experienced coach in Mark Kennedy, a former Republic of Ireland international, and they made some excellent trades during the transfer window.
“The season hasn’t started off as well as they had hoped.
“I’ve seen quite a few of their games, and while their performances haven’t been great yet, their outcomes have.
As a result, as I’ve already stated, I anticipate a challenging exam, and success will require our undivided attention.
Even though the Bluebirds are the favorites to win tonight on home ground, Clemence thinks it won’t happen until they keep up their best effort.
“I always say you have to give your opponents the respect they deserve, and Swindon is no different,” he said.
It’s actually about us, though. What matters is what we do.
Could we bring the game to Swindon? Can we figure out how to dissect them? Can we make the conditions so we can harm them? And could we just make sure that we seize such chances when they arise.
“The guys have a great spirit, and we’re all working really hard to keep becoming better.
Although our season has gotten off to a terrific start, that doesn’t mean much until we continue to perform well.
“We have to keep getting better, keeping winning, and keeping points on the board.”
Before choosing his squad, Clemence says he has trust in whoever crosses the white line, but he is still awaiting word on the fitness of certain players.
He stated, “Obviously, with injuries, we had to make changes in midweek.”
However, I have faith in every boy that attends to perform well. We have a strong team that is driven and passionate about winning.
“Every player selected for a game understands that it is their chance to prove themselves and solidify their position on the squad.
“Since I walked in the door, the attitude has been excellent, and you need that to have a shot of success.
They have a burning desire to excel and do their finest work, and long may that fire burn.
“They’ve got a coach that’s experienced (former Republic of Ireland international Mark Kennedy) and they’ve done some very good business in the transfer window, so I expect it to be a tough game.
“They haven’t started the season as well as they would have liked.
“I watched a fair number of their games, and although their results haven’t borne fruit yet, their performances have been quite good.
“So, like I say I am expecting a tough test, and we are going to have to be fully at it to get a result.”
The Bluebirds may be favourites to take the spoils on home turf today, but Clemence says that only happens if they continue to put in maximum effort.
He added: “I always say you have to give your opponents the respect they deserve, and that will be the same with Swindon.
“But really, it’s about us. It’s about what we do.
“Can we take the game to Swindon? Can we work out how to break them down? Can we create the opportunities to hurt them? And can we make sure we take those opportunities when they come.
“The spirit among the boys is very good, and we are all working very hard to keep improving.
“It’s good that we have had such a decent start to the season, but that only means anything if we keep delivering.
“We need to keep improving, to keep winning games, and to keep putting points on the board.”
Clemence is awaiting news on the fitness of a number of players before selecting his team, but says he has faith in whoever crosses the white line.
“Obviously, we had to make changes in midweek with injuries,” he said.
“But I trust all of the boys who come in to do well. We’ve got a good squad and one with a hunger and passion to be successful.
“Whoever is picked to play in any game, they know this is opportunity to show what they can do and to cement their place in the team.
“The attitude has been first class since I walked in the door here, and you need that to have a chance of being successful.
“There’s a fire in them to go out and perform to the best of their abilities and long may it continue.
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