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.