Updates - Wins Against Supermarine & Cirencester Mean Preparations Going To Plan

Once again, my apologies for a lack of updates.  My health has not been too good recently, but hopefully I am now on the road to recovery.


24-0.


No, not the score we will put past Oxford United ;) nor a result of a Swindon RFC game, but rather the wonderful statistic of our friendly campaign to date.  24 goals scored, none conceded!  I think we are the only British team to boast such a great record in pre-season friendlies in recent times!


As you will no doubt have seen, more players have arrived since my last blog.  The two Alan's (Connell & McCormack), Etienne Esajas (sadly injured after last night's game at Cirencester), Alessandro Cibocchi and Mehdi Kerrouche.  At this rate, we'll be renamed 'The Foreign Legion!'


However, the recruitment is not over yet - as Paolo has said that he wants a target-man type striker and a winger/defender.  A new Goalkeeper might also come in, and it has been rumoured that Dean Brill could be joining soon as Yeovil Town did not take him on following a recent performance for them against Truro City.  Steve Brooker could fit the target-man mantra, whilst Cardiff City utility defender Alex Evans could be poised for a loan deal.  The Wales Youth International has played for Cardiff's Reserve Team last season and is tipped to be a big star of the future.


In Paolo we trust - Forza Swindon!

Italian Tour Concludes, 16 Goals, Optimism Rising?

Two great performances on tour have given Swindon fans a real sense that they are in for a very good season.


An 11-0 win over a Norica XI, followed by a 5-0 win over a Marche XI meant that the brief tour to Italy concluded on a very positive note.


With new recruits Comazzi, Da Vitta, Lanzano, Atiku and Risser all signed up for the new season and Etienne Esajas tipped to sign soon, Swindon Town have pulled in some very exciting names and coupled with some good performances should be a strong bet for automatic promotion.


However, we have seen it all go badly wrong before - and Swindon fans will not need reminding that whilst hopes can be built up they can easily be knocked down.  1990 and 1993 are cases in point - 1990 saw Swindon Town win the Play-Off Final at Wembley only to be denied promotion, whilst in 1993 Swindon Town had high hopes for the Premier League - these were short lived and relegation became a certainty.


There is talk that Matt Ritchie, Simon Ferry and Paul Caddis could move on, with Anthony Edgar, Gavin Mahon and Kyel Reid possibly coming in on free-transfers to replace them.  Various League 1 clubs are targeting Ritchie, who would cost £400,000 and Hamilton and St. Mirren respectively wish to sign Ferry and Caddis.


Two new strikers are due in shortly, believed to be David Mooney and Ben Burgess.  Cheltenham Town and Yeovil Town are said to be after one time target Jason Prior, whilst Chris McDonagh is heading to Macclesfield Town on trial. 

Estonian International Next To Sign?

Estonian International Left-Back/Left-Midfielder Taijo Teniste has joined Swindon Town on trial, according to today's Swindon Advertiser.

Wikipedia lists him as having played seven games for Estonia, with 112 appearances and nine goals for Levadia Tallinn.  He scored 16 goals in 17 appearances for former club Premium Tartu.


Not the tallest of players at 5ft 8.5 in, but he certainly sounds quite decent nonetheless.


Also being linked with us is Finnish striker Roope Riski, who is a current U21 International player currently at AC Cesena. 

Knight-Mare For Leon, But Deals Close For Remaining Trialists?

Leon Knight's time with Swindon Town has ended almost as quickly as it began.


Less than 24 hours after going on trial with The Robins, fitness problems have ruled him out of travelling with Swindon Town to Italy next week.  A shame for Leon, as he seems a more mature person now, but hopefully he will get a new team soon.  Good luck to him.


Meanwhile, fellow trialists Oliver Risser and Ibrahim Atiku remain with the squad - and Risser could soon be a permanent addition to the squad as he is being tipped to sign a one year deal.  Mattia Lanzano is expected to sign a contract this weekend as well.


Paolo will also be hoping to push through three deals by Monday morning - one can only assume that will include two strikers and a wide player.  So maybe this will mean David Mooney, Rene Howe and Joe Anyinsah joining up?  Three potential gems there, just waiting to be unearthed by Paolo.


No updates on Steffan Jones joining - it seems very strange that no team is looking at him, as he is undoubtedly a player who has potential to do well at League 2 level.  A free agent, who would not command a huge salary and can overlap/come short/track back and tackle with a good eye for goal too.  Pretty much a 'slot him in and he'll do the business' type player and over 6ft tall too!  So a real handful for opponents at set-pieces.


Also, I've been asked (kindly!) to post this link about a proposed Sports Village/Complex that it is hoped will be built on the site of RAF Lyneham in the future: 


http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sports-Village-For-Lyneham/


I have to say, it seems like a brilliant idea - far better a use than just sticking a bunch of houses there.  Besides, if it can help Swindon Town out and be a sports hub for the area then great!  All for it!

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.