Apologies & Latest Developments

Sorry that the Blog hasn't been updated in a while - I've been in and out of hospital the past week having surgery on my back.  Thankfully, the good staff at the Great Western Hospital seem to have put me right for now!


Anyway, to matters Swindon Town and Paolo is close to signing Alberto Comazzi.  The former Verona defender would be a key player for us, and has experience of playing at the top level of European football.  Paolo's hopefully caught a good one there!


However, I am equally baffled as to why Paolo is entertaining the troublesome Leon Knight.  The former Brighton and Northampton Town striker, who has a very questionable reputation, has been invited to trial with Swindon Town pre-season.  I cannot help but feel that signing him would be a mistake.  He has had more clubs than Arnold Palmer and would be a liability.  Best to avoid him and get a target-man like Ben Burgess or Rene Howe in, or go for a non-league striker like Michael Wilde, Carl Preston or Chris McDonagh.


Also, another departure confirmed today - captain Jonathan Douglas has quit the club and is moving to Brentford.  Good luck to him.

Three More Players Due, As Paolo Moulds His Squad

Paolo expects three more players to join Swindon Town, with strikers being key to his recruitment.


Rumours abound over who will be added to the squad, with ex Reading youngster Abdul Bell-Baggie being linked as well as Blackpool striker Ben Burgess and Peterborough's Rene Howe.

Da Vita Joins Paolo's Army

Former Blackburn Rovers and Livingston striker Raffaele Da Vita has today signed as a Swindon Town player.

The Italian striker scored 21 goals in 67 appearances, whilst at Livingston, and will hopefully be a pivotal player for The Robins in their quest for promotion.  Impressive scoring stats, but I'm sure that he'll find League 2 more tough than the Scottish Second Division!


Still, not a bad signing by the looks of things - Benvenuti a Swindon, Raffaelle!

Manic Monday!

Today has been the busiest day of transfer activity so far at The County Ground, with three players leaving the club - two permanently and one on loan.


As expected, Lescinel Jean-Francois has joined Sheffield United and teams up again with former boss Danny Wilson.  Elliott Benyon has been loaned to near-neighbours Wycombe Wanderers for the season, and within the last hour it has been reported by the Swindon Advertiser that John-Paul McGovern has moved to Carlisle United.


I'm a little disappointed that Benyon has been loaned out, as I had hoped he'd be a leading light for us this season.  I guess this means three new strikers will be coming in now along with new defenders, a holding midfielder, winger and hopefully two new goalkeepers.


Not too worried to see Lescinel and McGovern go, good luck to them at their new clubs.


Simone Verdi, Ben Burgess, Rene Howe, Abdul Baggie and David Mooney have been linked with potential moves to Swindon Town.

Reading Friendly Added For Saturday 30th July

Brian McDermott will be bringing his Reading side to Swindon Town, as part of the pre-season friendlies.


The losing Championship play-off finalists will prove a stiff test for Paolo Di Canio, and should give us an indication of what we can expect from the new campaign.


Games against Chippenham Town and Hungerford Town are reportedly in the pipe-line as well.

Dario's Crewe Up First For The Robins

Dario Gradi's Crewe Alexandra will be our first opponents of the new football season.


The two railway towns will go head to head on Saturday 6th August, and then follows a local derby match against neighbours Cheltenham Town.  All eyes will be on the 20th August and 3rd March, however, as those are the dates of our derby matches with Oxford United.  We play them at The County Ground on Saturday 20th August and away at The Kassam Stadium on Saturday 3rd March.  August concludes with a trip to Shrewsbury.


All in all, some good opening fixtures which will test the caliber of Paolo's team and also give a measure of how good Paolo will be as a manger.  The final friendlies are being confirmed, so it looks as if things are falling into place.


AUGUST FIXTURES:


Saturday 6th August - Crewe Alexandra (H)
Saturday 13th August - Cheltenham Town (A)
Tuesday 16th August - Dagenham & Redbridge (A)
Saturday 20th August - Oxford United (H)
Saturday 27th August - Shrewsbury Town (A)


In other news, defenders Marlon Broomes and Ellis Deeney (ex-Aston Villa) have been linked with moves to The County Ground.  

Fixtures On Their Way & So Is McGovern

The fixtures for our upcoming League 2 campaign will be released at 10.00 today.


Also, John-Paul McGovern is set to sign for Carlisle United later today or by Monday at the latest.  


Have heard, unofficially, we will be away for the 1st game - however we will see in just under four hours.

Swindon Get Bristol City In The Carling Cup

Swindon Town have been drawn away to rivals Bristol City in the 1st Round of this year's Carling Cup competition.


The match takes place on either Tuesday 9th August or Wednesday 10th August at Ashton Gate, with kick-off at 19.45.


Meanwhile, the fixtures for our League 2 games will be released at 10.00 tomorrow.  I have a feeling we will be at home for the first game, but it remains to be seen.

McGovern, Pericard and Lescinel Jean-Francois Gone

More players were today shown the Exit door at The County Ground, as John-Paul McGovern, Vincent Pericard and Lescinel Jean-Francois departed for pastures new.


McGovern is reportedly signing for Sheffield United (I pity the poor Blades!), whilst Vincent Pericard is wanted by a side in the Scottish First Division (believed to be either Dundee or Partick Thistle) and Lescinel Jean-Francois is wanted by both Sheffield United and Notts County.


Good luck to them at their new clubs.  I have a feeling that a few of these players will need it!


Also departing are David Morrison (Fitness Coach) and Ken Ryder (Chief Scout).  Again, good luck to them for the future.


No definite news on new signings, but Accrington Stanley winger Jimmy Ryan has been spoken of as possible replacement for John-Paul and Harry Kane is once again being hotly tipped for a season-long loan with Swindon Town.  Ex Preston defender Neal Trotman has also been mentioned in conjunction with a possible move to Wiltshire.

Lescinel To Depart - Chilvers In As Replacement?

It now seems certain that Lescinel Jean-Francois will not be part of the playing staff at The County Ground in 2011-12.


The Haitian defender has not agreed a new contract, and looks destined to leave the club.  By a twist of fate, he could be replacing Liam Chilvers at League 1 side Notts County who is apparently heading down to Wiltshire to join Swindon Town.


It is hoped that Jonathan Douglas will stay at The County Ground, but I would guess that he is looking at League 1 rather than League 2 football next season.  Wycombe Wanderers have shown interest in the Scottish midfielder, so if Jonathan does depart I hope that we can sign an enforcer like Gavin Rae or Gavin Mahon instead.


With Paolo having already signed two players yesterday, I would expect a further six faces in if Jonathan leaves.   Maybe seven or eight, if David Lucas or Phil Smith (or both) are sold as well.

Ex-Robins Fly South?

It's been reported on the Weymouth Proboards Forum that Zamaretto Premier League side Weymouth are set for a swoop for three ex Swindon Town youth players.


It's believed that the three players are Josh Parsons, James Richards and Tom Ryan.  


Paul Bodin has, apparently, been in touch with new Weymouth boss Brendan King and mentioned these players to him.


Whether or not these players will want to sign up to a club that seems to be in continuous trouble remains to be seen though.

Paolo Gets His Men As Devera and Smith Sign For The Robins

Paolo Di Canio today made his first two signings, ahead of the new season:


Joe Devera, a full-back with over 170 appearances for Barnet and Jonathan Smith, a highly rated non-league midfielder formerly at Forest Green Rovers and York City, agreed terms to become Swindon Town players for the 2011-12 season.

Both players are young, hungry and tall - both tower at over 6ft, so should pose problems for opposing defences at set-pieces next season!


Fans of Barnet and York City have been glowing in their references of their former players, so it looks as if Paolo has got in two good players.  Maybe not the most jaw-dropping of signings, but they sound like grafters, and a good work ethic is worth far more than anything else on a football pitch.


Rumours are that Paolo is also interested in Newport County's Danny Rose and Luton Town players Robbie Wilmott, Matthew Barnes-Homer, Jake Howells and Amauri Morgan-Smith.


Welcome to The County Ground, Joe and Jonathan!

Not So Marvellous Marvin...

Today, it has been reported that Swindon Town are bidding for former Aldershot striker Marvin Morgan.

The 25 year old striker is currently on loan at Dagenham & Redbridge, and is out of contract at the end of the month.


I'm not too convinced that he is the sort of player we should be going for, if we are to strive for promotion next season.  He has a good record in non-league, but in League Two he hasn't scored more than 15 league goals in a season which would be a necessity if he is to be a first-choice striker in a promotion-chasing team.  Plus, he is quite temperamental (he once posted on Twitter that he hoped Aldershot Town fans would die after they booed him at Aldershot's game against Hereford, which they lost 2-1) and if he fell out with the equally fiery Paolo Di Canio there would only be one winner.


Aldershot Town clearly don't rate him, so why should Swindon Town rate him when we're supposed to be a better side than them (no disrespect intended!)   There are better targets out there like Dean Bowditch and Chris Zebroski, so I am a bit disappointed that the club seems to be going for cheap cast-offs once again. 

Carling Cup Draw 1 Week Today

Swindon Town will soon know who they will have to face, if they want a shot at Wembley glory in the Carling Cup, as the draw takes place next Thursday.


Last year, we crashed out to Leyton Orient in the first round, so let us hope that we can go on a good run this season.


I've got a sneaking suspicion that we'll be playing Brighton away.

Transfer Update: Benyon Heading Back To League 1?

It has been revealed in today's Swindon Advertiser that Elliott Benyon has been attracting the attentions of League 1 sides Leyton Orient and Wycombe Wanderers.


The striker, signed from Torquay United earlier this year, has so far failed to score for The Robins.  


Meanwhile, Michael Timlin may be heading to Southend United with Chris Barker joining Swindon Town in exchange.


Paolo hopes to bring in five players before next Friday and is waiting on Lescinel Jean-Francois, Nathan Thompson and Michael Timlin to either commit to the club or leave before he makes his next move.

The Waiting Goes On...

There will be no players moving to Swindon Town until the end of the week at the earliest, according to an article in today's Swindon Advertiser.


It had been hoped that three players would have signed by the start of the week, but as Paolo is on holiday in his native Italy it seems that we will have to wait a little bit longer for the first new face of the summer.


Meanwhile, out of the four out-of-contract players, only Mark Scott has agreed to stay on for next season.  Lescinel Jean-Francois, Michael Timlin and Nathan Thompson have not yet agreed terms, and it looks as if Timlin could be used in a swap-deal for Southend United's Chris Barker as Paul Sturrock is very keen on capturing Timlin.


Nathan Thompson is wanted by Conference Premier sides Kidderminster Harriers and Bath City, and Callum Kennedy is wanted by Barnet along with goalkeeper Phil Smith.

Jordan Hopes To Impress, Whilst Mark Remains Committed To The Town

Jordan Pavett and Mark Scott have both reiterated their desires to do well for Swindon Town in the upcoming campaign.


It's hoped that Jordan will play some part of pre-season, with Mark hopefully getting game time in the Cirencester Town and Swindon Supermarine friendlies.


No more news on definite players coming in, hopefully movement will take place this week.  


The latest names to be linked with Swindon Town are ex-Chelsea and Notts County full-back Jon Harley, ex-Northampton Town midfielder Abdul Osman, Lancaster City hot-shot utility man Alex Kenyon, ex-Shrewsbury Town defender Kelvin Langmead, ex-Rochdale goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams, ex-Tranmere Rovers midfielder Bas Savage, ccurrent Southend United full-back Chris Barker, current Walsall goalkeeper Jimmy Walker, current Wrexham goalkeeper Chris Maxwell, ex-Barnet striker Tresor Kandol and ex-Watford defender Matt Sadler.   Looks like the silly season has started on the rumours front!

First Signing Imminent?

According to the Swindon Advertiser, we will soon be seeing the first new face of the Paolo Di Canio revolution at The County Ground.


Paolo has, apparently, been trying to entice three young Italian players to Wiltshire - so it remains to be seen if one of these will be among the new arrivals.  


Whoever we sign, they must be committed towards fighting hard to get Swindon back into League 1 at the earliest possible opportunity.

McGovern Free Transfered

John-Paul McGovern has been free transfer listed by the club, according to the GiveMeFootball.com website.


John-Paul was one of the better players last season, but wants to stay in League 1 and possibly move back north.


Notts County, Oldham Athletic and Hartlepool United are said to be interested in acquiring him.


Meanwhile, the Harry Kane rumours are hotting up.  We would do well to get this young striker on a season loan, and with transfer targets being missed we have to get new players in soon.


Vincent Pericard is reported to have agreed a deal with a League 1 side, so good luck to him.  


Phil Smith has been the subject of bids by Barnet and former club Crawley Town, but whether or not he would move to Underhill or The Broadfield Stadium remains to be seen.  


Mark Howard is reported to be interested in joining Swindon Town, having moved back south from Aberdeen recently after six years in Scotland.  


More transfer news as/when I get it.

Douglas & Pericard Next To Leave?

As Paolo Di Canio looks to rebuild the Swindon Town squad, it is becoming evident that he has little to no faith in the current batch of players. 


Six players have already left the club, whilst Jonathan Douglas and Vincent Pericard seem likely to leave within the next seven days.  Douglas is wanted by former Swindon Town boss Danny Wilson at Sheffield United, whilst Pericard has a handful of League 1, Scottish League and European sides interested in him.


Paolo is certainly working hard clearing out any deadwood, and hopefully new arrivals will come soon after.  However, with rival clubs already swooping, let us hope we don't leave it too late in terms of recruitment!

Sheehan and Cuthbert Leave Swindon Town

Alan Sheehan and Scott Cuthbert have today left Swindon Town for League 1 sides Notts County and Leyton Orient, respectively.


The fees are undisclosed, but it seems that these players were not willing to play under Paolo so have decided to try their luck elsewhere.


Slightly disappointed to see Scott leave, but Alan Sheehan - well, I would have driven him to Nottingham free of charge! Not sorry to see this lazy player leave at all.


Meanwhile, Swindon have been linked with loan bids for Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) and Milan Lalkovic (Chelsea).

Pre-Season Dates & Transfer News

Swindon Town today confirmed the dates of two friendly matches:

The Robins will face Swindon Supermarine on Tuesday 19th July at The Webbs Wood Stadium before playing Cirencester Town at The Corinium Stadium on Monday 25th July.  Kick-off times are likely to be either 19:30 or 19:45.

Swindon are also working to arrange one 'high-profile' game at The County Ground possibly on Friday 29th July, possibly against West Ham United or a Tottenham Hotspur XI.

The Robins might also play Chippenham Town and Hungerford Town, as part of their pre-season campaign.

AFC Wimbledon Max It Up, Whilst Rumours Post Causes Concern

League rivals AFC Wimbledon today swooped for Swindon Town target Max Porter.


The 24 year-old midfielder has signed a deal with the Dons, and becomes their first signing ahead of the new season.


Swindon Town are still in the market for five new players, and there are rumours circulating that these will include a goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and two new strikers.   Scott Dobie and Gavin Mahon are believed to be two of these players.


Meanwhile, a post on the Football Rumours website is causing concern in certain quarters:


02 Jun 2011 15:54:27
Swindon Town are contemplating as to whether to keep Paulo Di Canio on as manager. He was appointed fairly recently but has already fallen out with the board as regards to his transfer budget. He is requesting a £10m to spend on players this summer.


Now, this post probably has 0% truth, but it has unsettled a few fans who seem to think that the negative reaction from the GMB Union plus interest from Premiership clubs might cause Paolo to think again.  As a fan of over 10 years, I really hope that there are no more surprises on the scale of the 1990 fiasco and Glenn doing a bunk to Chelsea after winning us promotion to the Premier League in 1993.   Nothing with the club is ever smooth, but let us hope that Paolo is given a chance and if he does leave it is after he wins us promotion to League 1.   A £10m transfer budget is very unlikely, but Paolo will not settle for second best and if the Board will not release funds then there could be clashes.