The Saga Continues...

The Milan Misun saga continues, amid revelations that Swindon Town have not actually signed the defender from Celtic.


This comes only four months after it was believed he had signed a 2.5 year deal with The Robins. 


The defender, 21, is currently in a state of limbo - with Celtic not keen on keeping him and Swindon Town seemingly not keen on buying him.  


I suspect it would be best for both parties if his contract was torn up, so that he may move on elsewhere.  Misun is clearly not going to play under Paolo at The County Ground and with interest coming from Dundee I suspect he will favour a return to Scotland.


Scott Cuthbert has reportedly been offered a deal to return north as well, with Partick Thistle offering him a two year deal.  


David Prutton is also close to exiting The County Ground, with Yorkshire sides Barnsley and Sheffield United interested in the midfielder.  A proposed move to Brighton fell through earlier this month as the Sussex side dropped their interest in him.


Jordan Pavett will be in the frame for a starting berth, if he can prove his worth during pre-season.  It is expected that Jordan will partner Billy Bodin against Cirencester Town (date TBC) and two new strikers at least will be signed by July 1st.   Scott Dobie and Stephen Brooker have been mentioned, but nothing as yet is confirmed.


Speaking of friendlies, it is strange that the club has not yet released its pre-season plan - although that could be in part due to the change of manager.  I won't expect AC Milan to give up a Saturday to play us at The County Ground, but if we could have a few home games v Reading, Tottenham Hotspur and Bristol City then that could make for a good campaign with a few away games at Bath City, Newport County, Hungerford Town, Swindon Supermarine, Chippenham Town and Cirencester Town.   Scrap any 'jollies' abroad - the players don't deserve it.

Quartet Offered Deals To Stay

Lescinel Jean-Francois, Nathan Thompson, Michael Timlin and Mark Scott have all been asked to stay on at The County Ground next season, according to the BBC.


Lescinel and Timlin look as if they could do well at League 2 level next season, and possibly young Nathan Thompson will see some action too, but I cannot see why we are keeping (no pun intended!) Mark Scott on.  He is 20 and nowhere near the standard needed to play at League level and has only played at non-league whilst on loan at Chippenham Town and Hungerford Town.  Good at that level, but I can't see him being a challenger for a first-team place.


Connor Thompson, in my opinion, should be the third-choice 'keeper as he is already a Northern Ireland Youth International.  If Mark is to progress, he needs to move on.


The futures of Jonathan Douglas, Alan Sheehan, Jakub Jesionkowski, Scott Cuthbert and Vincent Pericard are uncertain, but I would guess that most if not all of these players will be moving on.  Douglas is wanted by a number of League 1 sides, but he is based in Wiltshire and is settled here so it's 50/50 if he stays or goes.  As for Sheehan, he is wanted by Preston and has already gone on trial with them.  I hope he goes, as he's failed to deliver here.


Scott Cuthbert is wanted by Partick Thistle and Kilmarnock, and may favour a return north of the border whilst Pericard is wanted by Notts County, Dunfermline Athletic, Oldham Athletic and Tranmere Rovers.  Jakub is available on a free, according to the GiveMeFootball website, so I doubt he will be staying on.  Rumours are that he will move to Newport County if they sell Glyn Thompson to Cheltenham Town.


Thomas Dossevi is expected to leave for a team in France, believed to be FC Lorient.


Swindon Town are apparently looking at Thailand International Ronnachai Rangsiyo, who is a 22 year-old striker with 15 appearances for his country and four goals.  He has previously been on the books of Everton, and currently plays for BEC Tero Sasana.

Akinde Moves To Crawley

Crawley Town have swooped for Swindon Town target John Akinde.


The former Ebbsfleet and Bristol City striker has penned a deal with the Surrey club, ahead of their first season in League 2.

By Prior Appointment - Swindon To Bid For Rocks Hot-Shot?

A number of Football League sides, believed to include Swindon Town, are interested in Bognor Regis Town striker Jason Prior.

The Rocks striker hit an amazing 44 goals in 2010-11, as Bognor ultimately failed to win promotion to the Ryman Premier League despite being odds-on for promotion at the start of last season.


Bognor managers Jamie Howell and Darren Kilpatrick highly rate their prolific striker, and admit that he could play in the Football League, but with Prior having only one year left on his contract at Nyewood Lane and The Rocks struggling for cash, a bid of £50,000 could be enough to seal a deal for Prior.


Fellow Bognor player, Ben Johnson, is also a target for League 2 sides including Dagenham & Redbridge, Gillingham and Crawley Town.

Forza Swindon!

Paolo Di Canio has announced that fellow Italians Fabrizio Piccareta and Claudio Donateli will be joining him on the coaching staff at The County Ground.


Piccareta takes over the mantle as Assistant Manager, with Donateli coming in as Fitness Coach.  Paul 'Zippy' Bodin stays on the Coaching Staff, resuming his role with the Youth Team.  Rumours are that a Goalkeeping Coach is set to be appointed soon, to replace George Wood - names being mentioned so far are ex Wales Goalkeepers Martyn Margetson (currently Cardiff City's Goalkeeping Coach) and Paul Jones.  However, Italian Andrea Pazzagli (currently a Goalkeeping Coach with Italy's U18s squad) is being mentioned more frequently and could soon form part of Paolo's revolution at The County Ground.


On the playing front, Jonathan Douglas is expected to depart for either Bournemouth or Exeter soon.  Another player I won't miss.  Milan Misun is expected to leave soon (possibly for a club on the Continent) whilst Jordan Pavett has been linked with Kettering Town, Bath City and Newport County and Aden Flint could be heading back to Nottinghamshire to former club Alfreton Town.  


Billy Bodin and Will Evans could each be set for loan moves to Forest Green Rovers, as part of a proposed bid for Reece Styche, whilst Callum Kennedy and Nathan Thompson are to be given pre-season games to make a case for inclusion in the first team.  Callum is wanted by Hereford United whilst Nathan is wanted by Barnet.


Thomas Dossevi will be given until June 1st to find a new club, following which his contract will be torn up.  I can't see many bidders coming in for him, and so he may end up a free agent before long.  I believe that Wrexham have shown an interest, but could they afford to pay a player who has consistently underperformed the wages he was on at The County Ground?


Believed to be coming in on trial with The Robins are Poole Town winger Carl Preston and Chester striker Michael Wilde.  

Prutton Departs For The Owls

Within the last hour, it has been confirmed that David Prutton has left Swindon Town to sign a two year deal with League 1 side Sheffield Wednesday.


Prutton follows Michael Rose out of the exit door at The County Ground, and there are rumours abounding that Thomas Dossevi will be the next player to depart - possibly for a club abroad.


Good luck to David, but I will not be sorry to see him go.

Paolo Planning For The Long Term

Paolo Di Canio knows that he faces a tall order to get Swindon Town promoted, during his debut season as a manager, yet signs are already evident that he is in it for the long haul and that he is planning to make Swindon Town a force in football once again.


Paolo has already been in contact with Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp, and rumours are that Harry may allow young striker Harry Kane to link up with The Robins on loan next season.


Harry spent last season on loan at Leyton Orient and scored five goals in 18 appearances for the O's including two over Bristol Rovers in a 4-1 win at Brisbane Road.  He is an England Under 19 International and looks a very good prospect for the future, and a player who would lead the forward line well for Swindon Town - something we have not had since Charlie Austin departed for Lancashire.


Whether or not Tottenham Hotspur would allow Harry to play in League 2 next season remains to be seen, but if he does let us hope he performs better than the last Tottenham Hotspur loanee - namely Jonathan Obika.


Silly season has started on the Football Rumours site, and I cannot see us going for Ryan Mason, Dominic Adiyiah, Andreas De Vito nor Mattia Vatoli.  These players would walk into most Championship sides - people need to get real about who we can realistically get and how much the Board will allow Paolo to have in transfer fees.


Shabir Khan (Worcester City left-back) and Reece Styche (Forest Green Rovers striker) have also been linked with us.  Shabir, 25, is a Pakistan International and has played over 100 games for Worcester City.  He has recently attracted the attentions of Bradford City and Notts County, so he has the potential to play in the Football League.  Reece is based locally and plays for neighbours Forest Green Rovers and is a full England C International aged 22.  Very highly rated by Forest Green Rovers manager (and ex-Swindon Town player) David Hockaday, maybe Reece has the potential to move into the Football League as a Swindon Town player?

New Faces?

It has been reported that Swindon Town are already looking at a major squad rebuild during the summer, following the embarrassing capitulation on the field last season.


Here are some players, some already have been linked with us, who could possibly be at The County Ground next season:


Max Porter (Rushden & Diamonds)

Max is an established England C International, with two goals from three appearances.   He is a tenacious midfielder and is very highly rated by former Barnet and current England C manager Paul Fairclough.   A good passer of the ball who can also get goals when needed.


Former Clubs: Tottenham Hotspur (Youth), Southend United (Youth), Cambridge United, Bishop's Stortford and Barnet


Chance Of Signing:  Good - Max would definitely want to play in The Football League and would add pace to the midfield, plus Rushden & Diamonds need to sell players in order to keep afloat.


Jordan Santiago & Ibrahim Farah (both Cardiff City)

Jordan (top photo) is a highly-rated young Canadian Goalkeeper, who is out of contract at the end of the 2010-11 season.  He has worked very hard under Cardiff City's Goalkeeping Coach, Martyn Margetson, but has struggled to break into the first team due to the performances of David Marshall, Tom Heaton, Stephen Bywater and Jason Brown and perhaps his future lies away from the Championship side.  A great shot-stopper who commands his area well and  can deal with corners/set play well too.


Ibrahim (bottom photo) is also very highly rated by the Cardiff City management, and is the first Somali national to play in the Football League.  A pacy midfielder who can play on the wing or double up as a striker, he has a great first touch and can dictate play bringing in team-mates and supplying a killer pass when needed.


Chance of Signing:  Jordan - Good, but there will be a lot of interest from rival clubs in this young 'stopper.  Ibrahim - Good, however any deal would only be a loan deal as he is not on the transfer list at Cardiff City.


Nat Jarvis and Jonathan Meades (also at Cardiff City) are also good shouts for future Swindon Town players.


George Abbey (Free Agent)

An experienced Nigerian International who is no stranger to lower league football, George has previously played for Macclesfield Town, Port Vale and Crewe Alexandra and went on trial with Tranmere Rovers in May 2009 before opting to play in Cyprus.  Solid and dependable, but age (32) may count against him if Swindon go for a youthful side.


Chance of Signing - Very Good, however as stated it depends on whether Paolo chooses youth or experience for his Swindon team.


Joe Anyinsah (Free Agent)

Joe is a winger/striker who is well suited to the lower league, and once netted 13 goals in 47 appearances for Carlisle United.  Has had a bit of a nomadic career to date, but is dependable and grafts hard for his team. 


Chance of Signing - Very Good to Definite.  Joe would welcome a move nearer to his home town of Bristol and could see Swindon Town as a side at which to settle at.  A very good player to have at League Two and would be a leading star for the club.


John Akinde (Free Transfer)

Like Joe Anyinsah, John has had a fairly nomadic career to date as well.  He was, famously, the first transfer decided by a fans poll whilst at his first club Ebbsfleet United.  Moving to Bristol City for £150,000 in June 2008, he has only played 16 first team games for the Ashton gate side with one goal.  The rest of his career to date has seen him loaned out to Wycombe Wanderers (twice), Brentford, Bristol Rovers and Dagenham & Redbridge.  John is a good striker who could be a handful at League Two level but urgently needs stability and the chance to prove himself.


Chance of Signing - Good.  John would be interested in staying locally to Bristol, and could see Swindon as the club at which to relaunch his career.  Will need to hit the ground running though, and good performances in pre-season will help his cause to be a first-choice player.


Lee Beevers (Free Transfer)

Lee is a decent central defender/full back who has recently been freed by Colchester United.  Has played over 150 times for Lincoln City and played 20 times for Colchester and made seven appearances for Wales U21s.  Dependable and can also play a holding role in midfield as well.


Chance of Signing - Possible.  Lee has proven that he doesn't mind playing outside his native Midlands/North England, but he might prefer a move to a club closer to home.  However, if offered a good deal by Swindon, he could be tempted with a move to Wiltshire.


Stephen Brooker (Free Transfer)

Stephen is no stranger to this part of the country, having played over 100 times for Bristol City between 2004 and 2009 netting 37 times in the process.  An experienced striker with a good eye for goal, Stephen was most recently at Championship side Doncaster Rovers where he played 11 times and scored once.  


Chance of Signing - Very Good.  Stephen has played much of his club football in and around the Home Counties and West of England (with the exception of stints at Port Vale and Doncaster Rovers), so a move to Swindon Town would not be out of the question for him.  


Ben Burgess (Free Transfer)

Ben is an experienced striker who has two caps for the Republic of Ireland U21s.  Having started his career at Blackburn Rovers over 10 years ago, he has played for Northern Spirit (Australia), Brentford, Stockport County, Oldham Athletic, Hull City, Blackpoool and Notts County and played in Blackpool's play-off win over Cardiff City in May 2010.  Not a prolific goalscorer in recent seasons, but at a lower level he should easily manage to get 15+ goals a season.


Chance of Signing:  Possible.  Like Lee Beevers, Ben might prefer a move closer to home over a move to Wiltshire.  However, he has ventured south before in his playing career, so a move to The County Ground is not out of the question.


Liam Chilvers (Free Transfer)

Like Ben Burgess, Liam was recently released from his contract at Notts County.  A very solid defender who started his career with Arsenal, he could be the leader that Swindon Town so badly need on the pitch.  Won the FA Youth Cup with Arsenal in 2000.


Chance of Signing: Possible(ish!).  It depends on whether Liam would consider dropping down to play in League 2, as he has spent the whole of his playing career in clubs outside of the basement division.  The fact that Swindon is closer to his home town of Chelmsford might be a point in the clubs favour.


Danny Coid (Free Transfer)

An experienced full back, who has spent most of his career at Blackpool (over 300 games) and played for them in all four divisions, Danny is a tough-tackling no nonsense kind of defender and like Liam Chilvers is a leader who can marshall his defence well.  Recently had a loan period at Rotherham United, and despite two red cards he put in battling performances for the Millers in their ultimately unsuccessful promotion attempt.


Chance of Signing:  Possible/Difficult.  Danny is based in the north of England, so a move south at this stage of his career might not seem too appealing.  However, the chance to work with Paolo Di Canio and get himself the chance to prove his worth could tempt him to Swindon.


These 11 players could feature for Swindon Town in a possible 4-3-3 fomation:


(GK) Jordan Santiago


(DL) Danny Coid (capt.)
(DR) George Abbey
(DC) Lee Beevers
(DC) Liam Chilvers


(MF) Ibrahim Farah
(MF) Joe Anyinsah
(MF) Max Porter


(FW) Steve Brooker
(FW) John Akinde
(FW) Ben Burgess


This team looks very strong and could easily win promotion from League 2.


Substitutes:


(GK) Daryl Flahavan (Free Agent)
(DF) Claude Davis (Free Agent)
(MF) Mark Bradley (Free Agent)
(MF) Gavin Mahon (Free Agent)
(ST) Scott Dobie (Free Agent)

Paolo Takes The Reigns At The County Ground

A new chapter in the history of Swindon Town Football Club begins today when Paolo Di Canio takes over as manager of The Robins.

The former Lazio, Celtic, Sheffield Wednesday and West Ham United striker is perhaps a controversial choice for the Swindon job, given his allegiance to Italian fascism, but his CV alone is impressive and shouts out 'winner':


With Lazio, he won promotion to Serie A in 1987 aged only 19, and with Juventus he won Serie A and the Coppa Italia in 1992 and the UEFA Cup the following year.  The honors continued at AC Milan in 1994, when he helped the Rosoneri win the Intercontinental Cup and European Super Cup, and further honors would follow in 1995 with victory in the UEFA Champions League final and in 1996 he would win his second Serie A Winners Medal.


Paolo then moved from his native Italy to Scotland, and in only his first season at Celtic he helped the Parkhead side to a second placed finish in the Scottish Premier League.  This was the first season where he had scored more than six goals in a season, finishing with 15 in total from 37 appearances.  


A move south to then Premier League side Sheffield Wednesday took place the following season, with The Owls paying £4.2m for Paolo.  His stint at the Yorkshire club is probably best remembered for an infamous shove on referee Paul Alcock during a Sheffield Wednesday v Arsenal game in September 1998.  Paolo was fined £10,000 and banned for 11 games.  Despite this, Paolo became a Wednesday favourite during his two seasons, and scored 23 times in 41 appearances.


Moving to West Ham for a cut-price £1.7m, Paolo enjoyed his best years at Upton Park.  He became a Hammers legend and played over 100 times for them, netting 48 goals in total for the East London side helping them beat Manchester United in the FA Cup in the 2000-01 season and later that season would win a special 'Fair Play' award from FIFA after handling a cross so that then Everton Goalkeeper Paul Gerrard could receive treatment after twisting his knee.  FIFA described the incident as 'a moment of great sportsmanship'.


Following a row with then West Ham manager Glenn Roeder, Paolo moved to London rivals Charlton Athletic for the 2003-04 season.  As an Addick, he featured 31 times and scored four goals.  


Paolo returned to his childhood idols Lazio in 2004, and helped the financially stricken side with a return of 11 goals from 50 appearances.  The highlight of his second spell at Lazio being a 3-1 win over city rivals AS Roma in January 2005, in which he scored a goal, however by 2005 he had fallen foul of many players and senior management at the club due to his fascist beliefs. Lazio owner Claudio Lotito severed Di Canio's contract in 2006, and after a spell with Cisco Roma he  called time on his playing career.


Paolo was linked with the West Ham United manager's job in September 2008, following the sacking of Alan Curbishley, and spoke of his desire to become their manager one day.  Paolo's love of West Ham United is well known, and last year a Director's Box was opened at the club in his honor.


On May 23rd 2010, Paolo officially took over from caretaker boss Paul Bodin as the new manager of Swindon Town Football Club.  A bold move, but one that has caused controversy and also led to the loss of financial sponsorship from the left-wing GMB Union due to Paolo's beliefs.


The $64,000 question is how good a manager will he be for Swindon Town?  Will he make more headlines off the field than on it, and is he the right man to lead the now ailing Wiltshire club back to League 1 at the first attempt?  


Only time will tell, but it is certainly an exciting time to be a Robins fan!