SWINDON Town striker Jonathan Obika has been impressed with what he has seen in the early days of Martins Ling’s reign at the County Ground.

The new manager may have only been at the club for little over a week, but Obika has already noticed the changes the former Torquay and Leyton Orient boss has brought to the training ground.

In what has been a difficult time, on and off the pitch for the club, Ling has brought an air of calmness with him according to Obika.

The forward has instantly seen the connection between Ling and his number two Luke Williams, having worked together at Leyton Orient, and thinks that their relationship can only be a good thing for Town going forward.

Obika made his first start since the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy exit to Oxford United last month and is confident that Ling and the new backroom staff arrangement, which includes former Bournemouth man Ross Embleton, can start to turn things around.

“Nobody likes losing but we will turn it around,” the 25-year-old said.

“The manager has come in with Luke and the things that we are doing on the training ground is what we need.

“We just need to put it into practice when it comes to Saturday and we will get it right.

“It has been quite short but he brings the calmness and confidence that we need and we really look forward to the games.

“You can see the connection the gaffer and Luke have and it is like one mind so that is always good for the club.”

Meanwhile, the development side took a setback in the Development League Cup southern section as they fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Newport County.

Swindon, who have yet to announce who played in the fixture, remain top of Group B having won their first two games of the tournament a 4-1 success against Plymouth Argyle and 1-0 victory over Bristol Rovers.