TOWN boss Mark Cooper will have to make some ‘harsh’ judgement calls on his triallists as his team’s pre-season progresses.

Cooper had a look at nine non-contract players in Swindon’s 4-0 defeat to Everton at the County Ground. With former Lorient man Fabien Robert and Drissa Traore the most impressive.

Liverpool loanees Jordan Williams and Kevin Stewart have joined Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill to make three new players signed on this summer. Cooper is now in the process of making decisions on whether any, or who, of the triallists will be taken on full-time.

Trying to make judgements from snippets of games played without a competitive edge is a tough call, but Cooper has challenged the hopefuls to standout and impress him.

“It’s harsh to judge a player on trial, but that’s football and with that many players available if you get an opportunity you really have to nail it. It’s harsh to judge them on 45 minutes,” said the Town boss.

“I wouldn’t read anything into anything at the minute, we’re trying to have a good look at the ones we’ve got.

“We’ve confirmed two signings in the last day or two which will give us that added depth and quality.”

The constant chopping and changing of the 11 on the field compounded Town’s problems against Premier League visitors Everton. Town shipped four goals in the second half as they swapped the whole side around over the course of the second 45 minutes.

For Cooper it is an inevitable part of the process in rebuilding his squad at the same time as preparing his team for the new season.

“For an hour we competed really well, it was 0-0 for the first half and we had some good chances,” summarised the County Ground chief on the game itself.

“I’m pleased with the workout, it becomes a little bit more difficult when you’re making lots of changes and trying to get everyone a bit of game time. The game becomes a little bit disjointed and we become a little bit unorganised.

“We’ve got some players that are on trial and some new players that are coming to terms with what we’re trying to do so, that’s going to happen.”

The Swindon Advertiser was not permitted to attend Mark Cooper's post-match press duties.