WILSON: Out-of-Contract Players Must Wait

Swindon Town boss has said that he is in no rush to offer new deals to the 17 players who are out-of-contract at the end of the season.

Talking to the Swindon Evening Advertiser Wilson rather bluntly stated that ‘I can tell them on the last day of the season if I want, or offer them a contract if I want to do that’. It’s highly possible that Town will learn their fate as late as the last day of the campaign at Peterborough United so players will indeed have to wait!

The 17 in Question…

1. Phil Smith

Swindon’s current 1st choice shotstopper has played 68 league games for Town since joining Dennis Wise’s regime in the summer of 2005.

He began his career as Brezovan’s understudy but after the Slovakian suffered a long term injury Smith became an essential member of the League Two promotion team.

Since then he has battled it out with Brezovan – under Malpas Smith was the preferred option.

League Appearances: 68.

2. Peter Brezovan

The Slovakian arrived from Brno on loan and was regarded by Dennis Wise’s ace in the pack and was billed by Wise as a real coup and as being a man high in demand from bigger clubs.

He enjoyed a perfect debut at Hartlepool United saving two penalties as Town won 1-0 on the opening day of the 2005/06 season.

He injured himself in the October after an awkward fall against Grimsby. Despite his injury he signed a full-time deal with Swindon.

Brezovan was linked to Wolves and Swansea as he’s fought for the number 1 shirt – it’s been reported that he’s been frustrated at times as understudy but has returned to the first team under Danny Wilson.

A dip of form has seen Brezovan once again relegated to the bench.

League Appearances: 66

3. Jamie Vincent

A somewhat forgotten figure for the majority of this season.

Veteran defender Vincent was a regular fixture in the Town squad last two seasons but injuries have hampered him ever since.

Many thought that the end was night for Vincent – However, he returned to the Swindon line-up and impressed during the 3-2 win against Walsall (Vincent came off when Town were 3-0 up).

Vital Swindon Town users have voted Vincent as the player they would most like to see offered a new deal in a recent poll.

League Appearances: 82

4. Jack Smith

One of the clubs longest serving players after joining the club on a free transfer from Watford in the summer of 2005.

With over 100 Town games under belt he was only offered a one year deal by Maurice Malpas, with no guarentee of first team football. However, Smith made the right back position his own and until recently has played every league game for Swindon this season. He’s also netted 5 times this season.

In the latter stages of the season Smith has struggled to regain his position and now must fight for a new deal.

League Appearances: 136

5. Pat Kanyuka

The Congolese defender joined on a short-term contract last season and has struggled with injuries.

Kanyuka has played ten times this season while scoring one goal.

In Town’s last fixture, the 0-0 draw at Oldham, Danny Wilson suprised many by sticking Kanyuka in a central midfield role and he impressed both the staff and travelling fans.

Injuries continue to frustrate the big defender.

League Appearances: 19

6. Craig Easton

The Scotsman who was brought to the club by Paul Sturrock enjoyed his first season at the club playing 40 times and scoring 6. Many felt that only Miguel Comminges had a better season than Easton in 2007/08.

However, for whatever reason it really hasn’t been repeated this season. The former Scottish Under-21 cap has drifted in and out of the first team.

Injuries have really effected Easton under Danny Wilson’s regime and the Scotsman has recently admitted that he fears for his job but could be given a chance with Michael Timlin suspended for the trip to Carlisle and the home fixture with Bristol Rovers.

League Appearances: 60



7. Lilian Nalis

The veteran Frencman has failed to impress the masses so far this season and has flitted in and out of the first team since October.

It is believed that Nalis could be relaxing on his boat in the Med after the seasons end!

League Appearances: 23

8. Michael Pook

Only signed a new deal last summer after playing enough games during the 2007/08 to activate a clause in his contract. Malpas stated that Pook would struggle to find a place in the first team. But with Town struggling Pook was suprisingly brought back in by a desperate Malpas. Pook impressed during his first game back but has since drifted back to the sort of performances that leave the Town faithful often unhappy.

After a poor showing at Huddersfield Pook appears to have disappeared again having missed the last two games despite being fit for selection.

Under Danny Wilson, Pook has only been drafted into the first team set-up when injuries have become an issue for the Town boss.

League Appearances: 109

9. Sam Morris

One of nine youth team players who signed 18 month professional contracts in February 2008. Morris has yet to see first team action.

League Appearances: 0

10. Ben Joyce

Brought to the club from Plymouth Argyle along with Ben Tozer and Sean Morrison. Joyce scored on his debut with a classy finish against Port Vale.

He hasn’t featured much this season though starting against Bristol Rovers before going off in the 34th minuted.

League Appearances: 4

11. Chris Allen

Re-emerged under Danny Wilson having started the last two games. Many still have high hopes for Allen and it appears that Wilson may agree with them.

The Devizes born midfielder has recently admitted that he fears for his future at the club he has been with since he was a child.

League Appearances: 12

12. Barry Corr

The Irishman was signed by Paul Sturrock and helped make sure Swindon wouldn’t have to play a second season in the 4th tier.

Corr has shown his ability and scored goals. Sadly, Corr simply cannot stay fit – it’s widely agreed that if he could stay fit Corr would be an essentially member of the squad but it’s highly unlikely that this will happen.

Corr has recently resigned himself to unemployment this summer but still hopes for one last chance.

League Appearances: 28

13. Blair Sturrock

The son of Paul has come in and out of the first team this season starting 2 and making 6 appearances from the bench. Nobody can doubt that Sturrock jr. puts in the effort but his lack of goals and the possibility that Wilson could replace him with someone who can do a similar job yet score goals too is likely.

He is currently helping Torquay United’s Play-Off push.

League Appearances: 50

14. Jake Hyde

One of nine youth team players who signed 18 month professional contracts in February 2008. He has spent some time at Weymouth and was linked to a move to Wycombe at the beginning of the season.

He hasn’t featured for the first team and is unlikely to now.

League Appearances: 0

15. Tom Evans

One of nine youth team players who signed 18 month professional contracts in February 2008. The Welsh defender has appeared for his country at both U-17 and U-19 level but has yet to feature for Swindon.

He spent some time on loan at Truro earlier in the season and is currently playing for Weston-Super-Mare.

League Appearances: 0

16. Jean-François Lescinel

The Haiti international was brought in to bolster the back line if need be and has featured 3 times for Danny Wilson.

League Appearances: 3

17. Hamdi Razak

Danny Wilson stated that the former French amateur was a very raw talent when he arrived and he wasn’t wrong. He’s impressed at times in the reserves but has only played a bit-part in the 1st team with 3 substitute appearances to date.

League Appearances: 3



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