PAOLO Di Canio believes the way his side started Saturday’s clash with Bournemouth held the key as the Robins went on to secure a comprehensive 4-0 victory.

The Italian has been desperate for his team to start quickly after they struggled to get going at times last season, and he got his wish as a thunderbolt from Matt Ritchie and an Andy Williams header from a pinpoint Gary Roberts cross gave Town a 2-0 lead after 25 minutes.

Another from Ritchie in the second half and a neat finish from Adam Rooney with five minutes to go completed the rout, but it was the way his side came out the blocks which pleased Di Canio.

“I told my players to change their mentality, because sometimes we play the first half bad and in the second half we get on top but maybe it is too late,” he said.

“I told them it is better to start well and take our chances, and maybe from there we get confidence. If you go up and keep going and working hard and keep the shape and discipline you have more chance to win.

“Now we are approaching the games at home in the same way which is more aggressive and with more desire to communicate with each other the position. Everybody is starting to know what we want from the game.

“After 20 or 25 minutes I was happy, and it was an outstanding moment for us.”

Defender Nathan Thompson picked up the man of the match award after a near-faultless display of heading, tackling and passing, and Di Canio was full of praise for the youngster.

“For me Nathan was man of the match, although everybody did very well,” he said.

“In the first game like he did at Portsmouth you expect the desire, and in the second one it was his chance to do it at home in front of his friends and family.

“But this guy is a good guy, and in the training session I was sure he would have a good game.

“Individually Nathan now has to not fly away with his brain otherwise I will slap his face, but he did very well and had a fantastic match.”