Rome was not built in a day, but Swindon Town will need to be rebuilt in a month as Michael Flynn looks to reshape his squad for the second half of the season.

A squad that was already not big enough has lost three of its star players in the last week as Murphy Mahoney, Dan Kemp, and Jake Young have all headed back to their parent clubs.

Flynn has been dropping some not-so-subtle hints for a while of his intentions in January and went on something of a tirade about his squad following defeat against Crawley Town. Suffice it to say, that changes are needed. The strong possibility of facing Colchester United with just 11 fit professionals means that Swindon cannot afford to do too much trimming but additions are paramount.

Working from back to front, a goalkeeper needs to come in and replace Mahoney. Lewis Ward is a good stopgap, but Town will need someone who can use their feet. I am not as devout as most seem to be on the goalkeeper needing to be experienced as I think you can mitigate that with the right additions ahead of them.

This is the area of recruitment that I have the most faith in as Steve Mildenhall’s track record when it comes to picking goalkeepers is very strong. Matej Kovar notwithstanding, and even with him look at what has happened since, Mildenhall does not miss. I am on board with whoever he wants as they are probably going to be good.

Moving into defence, the big need is an experienced central defender to help organise the team. Udoka Godwin-Malife and Frazer Blake-Tracy are very good players in my opinion and useful for how Flynn wants to play, but Swindon need somebody to take charge of the team in defence.

Players like Joe Jacobson and George Friend have been struggling for minutes in League One and could be potential loan candidates.

Possibly the most important piece that needs to be added is an experienced player in the midfield. For a team that tends to control the ball, Swindon have lost the midfield battle an awful lot. A disciplined and vocal defensive midfielder to come in and hold down the fort could be key in getting Town back to playing their attacking football again as they have confidence in what is behind them.

Think Rohan Ince, a big midfielder who is strong at winning the ball back and passing the ball on to more creative players. Swindon have too many jacks-of-all-trades, masters of none-type midfielders and getting a specialist anchor in midfield will be pivotal for any turnaround.

Harry Pell is an imposing figure who has been relegated to cameos for Wimbledon this season and could be just what Swindon are looking for.

I think there could be some use in adding a left wing-back as there has been a fair amount of inconsistency from the current players in that role but the number of bodies means that it would probably involve someone going out. Swindon are still yet to find a player on the left who can be as creative as Hutton is on the right.

Burton Albion cast-offs have been a surprisingly bountiful well of left-back talent in the last two seasons with Frazer Blake-Tracy and Williams Kokolo, so maybe see if there is any water remaining.

Then with Kemp departing, a replacement will need to be found for him. I would like to see some chances given to Jake Cain and Ricky Aguiar as both have shown promise but unless they very quickly prove themselves then Town will need a more immediate solution. Cain can probably coexist in the team with another advanced playmaker if he has the right midfield partner and help shoulder a bit of the creative and goal scoring burden.

Kemp was the spark in this team, he was also the goals, the creativity, the drive, and the hunger and it is highly unlikely that there is another Kemp out there. Town will likely have to find multiple players to replace what he brought, but that worked when Brad Pitt did it in Moneyball, so why not now? I really like Jordan Thomas at Bath City; he has all of the attributes to be a top player but is likely more developmental.

Swindon are also going to need at least two new strikers. Young’s goals will be a huge miss and Town have been a striker short since Jacob Wakeling left. Charlie Austin has not been allowed to have nearly enough rest this season and bringing in a true target man would help him do that. Town were in for Josh Umerah last summer and after a disappointing season in the National League that derisory offer might look more appealing now.

Only two goals is concerning, but he scored double figures in each of the last two seasons and is a true physical presence up top.

Replacing Young would require another striker with more pace to partner Austin or the new target man. I was very keen on the possibility of trying to revive another struggling Bradford City striker in Tyler Smith as Young pushes him down the pecking order at Valley Parade.

He had a strong November for the Bantams and that might make them want to keep hold of him, along with the fact that Bradford would be stupid to loan Swindon yet another striker.

Cole Stockton could also be a good option. He has struggled at Burton but he proved he has the magic in him with Morecambe and could thrive on being the star attraction once again. He is a different player but could fill the Kemp role of adding creativity and goals.

Other out-of-favour strikers who could be available are Dan Agyei, he is a player that opposition fans hate, but imagine him using the dark arts for Swindon this time, and Kabongo Tshimanga.

Town would be wise to add further depth on top of these suggestions but seven signings is already a big ask in January.