Quite amazingly it has been almost two months since Swindon Town closed the disappointing 2008/09 campaign at promoted Peterborough United. We all pretend that we can cope without football in our lives but normally within a week or two we find ourselves pining for its return (The Confederations Cup doesn’t quite cut it does it?)
Tomorrow sees the Swindon Town squad return for the early stages of Pre-Season training. Danny Wilson is promising to put them through the reasonably grueling fitness regimes to make sure his squad can still do the basics!
However, this week will also spark frantic chaos within the transfer market as hundreds of players become free agents when their contracts expire on July 1.
Gordon Greer and David Lucas will join the squad officially as 13 players officially depart for new beginnings elsewhere.
Will Simon Cox remain at the County Ground beyond the next week or two? Since Leicester City abandoned their pursuit of our prolific marksman, Celtic’s interest returned to the gossip columns when Tony Mowbray becan The Bhoys’ new boss.
With Theo Robinson rumoured to be signing for Huddersfield Town the selling of Cox would leave an almighty dent in the Swindon strikeforce – Paynter & Peacock to be precise. One hopes that Cox will remain (like all fans do) at Swindon but it is important that the club are sensible – it would be ridiculous to lose Cox on a free/minimal free next summer if we fail to convince him to sign an extended contract.
Lucas and Smith should provide good competition for eachother with Paul Bodin rating youngster Mark Scott too.
As long as Cox remains a Swindon Town player Danny Wilson’s priorities must surely lie within the clubs midfield. Craig Easton will hopefully return to form but we desperately need a tough tackling leader in the middle – Simon Walton has been the only linked player in this mold.
The defence will hopefully improve significantly with Peter Shirtliff at the club. Gordon Greer was a crucial signing too.
2009/2010 Squad Thus Far
Goalkeepers
1. David Lucas (31)
2. Mark Scott (18)
3. Phil Smith (29)
Defenders
4. Hasney Aljofree (30)
5. Kevin Amankwaah (27)
6. Gordon Greer (28)
7. Jerel Ifil (26)
8. Callum Kennedy (19)
9. Jean-Francois Lescinel (22)
10. Sean Morrison (18)
11. Nathan Thompson (17)
12. Kasali Yinka Casal (21)
Midfielders
13. Craig Easton (30)
14. Kurt Hammonds (18)
15. Lloyd Macklin (17)
16. Mark Marshall (23)
17. Jon-Paul McGovern (28)
18. Anthony McNamee (25)
19. Michael Timlin (24)
21. Andy Westall (18)
Forwards
22. Simon Cox (22)
23. Billy Paynter (24)
24. Lee Peacock (32)
A question mark looms over Patrick Kanyuka.
Vital Swindon want your opinions:
What does Danny Wilson need to do to make this season successful?
Realistically, who would be the ideal signing this summer?
What is your gut feeling for this season?
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I think we need to sell the club to London, Midlands based players. Swindon isn’t a poorly located club. Alas, I say this knowing that the way you bring players to clubs has to offer the best wages!
No need to hit the panic button yet. DW is a bit of a shrewd one I think, and is prepared to play the waiting game, and not rush in and pay silly money out.
BREAKING NEWS: West Brom’s £2million Cox bid accepted