DAVID Flitcroft believes the performances by the likes of Harry Smith, Amine Linganzi and Matt Preston are testament to the thorough nature of Swindon Town's training ground preparations.

Substitute Smith stepped off the bench to replace injured striker Luke Norris and rammed home the points-clinching second goal in last Saturday's triumph over Cambridge United at home.

Meanwhile midfielder Linganzi marked his first start for nearly a month with a composed and assured performance in the centre of the park and Preston proved an excellent addition at the back, marking his debut five days after his arrival was confirmed with a man-of-the-match display.

Flitcroft had only made five tweaks to his starting line-up in the five games prior to the win over the U's but the manager is pleased to see those that have been handed their chance fit seamlessly into the line-up.

"We do work hard, the staff work hard with trying to prepare that,'' said the Town chief.

"I don’t think it’s just a fluke that the lads can come in and do that. We drill the players quite a lot.

"I look at Harry Smith. He’s come on to complement the team and do what Luke (Norris) has been but he’s not come on and it’s chance.

"We’ve drilled that. We’ve put Harry in the team in training to make sure he knows what his responsibilities are.

"And Johnny G (John Goddard), he’s been on the sidelines but he’s been in every meeting, to every dressing room, to understand what is needed of him.

"Amine (Linganzi) has been waiting patiently, watching, waiting, learning and he’s come in and I thought he bossed the game (against Cambridge).''

Preston's arrival in red and white colours caught the eye at the weekend with the new boy coping well with the physical threat of Town's visitors.

Flitcroft added: "It was probably the ideal game to throw him into because you’re straight into it, there’s no fear. It (the ball) is going to be coming down at you, it’s launched in.

"(After) his first header you could just feel the fans were going ‘this guy can handle that’ and I thought he was fantastic.

"He had a good week’s training and preparation. I believe there’s so much potential in this kid and he’s come to a good place where he’ll be looked after.

"He’s not played any games pre-season (and) you’ve got that potential rustiness. He wants to organise and that just shows the confidence.''