OLLY Lancashire has no doubt that the upcoming campaign is going to be a long, hard slog for all involved.

The physicality of League Two is much talked about and manager David Flitcroft has recruited accordingly this summer.

Gone are the days when Town would be looking for the raw talent that had yet to fulfil its potential and in have come experienced heads that know the level and, most importantly, know how to get out of the bottom tier of the Football League.

Lancashire is one such character to come through the door at the County Ground this summer and he knows a few wiser heads will be pivotal to Swindon’s success this coming campaign.

“We all know how tough the league is and it’s a long, 46-game season and there are lots of different types of team that we will be up against,” he told the Adver.

“The more lads we have with that kind of experience in there, to help the younger lads and the lads who haven’t played in League Two before, it’s definitely going to help.

“Especially when it gets to the business end of the season when there is going to be a lot of pressure on us, I expect, because of the size of the club in this division.

“The more experienced lads we have, the better.”

The team came in for criticism from large sections of the Town fanbase last season, for their perceived lack of fitness.

However, after enduring one of his toughest pre-seasons to date, Lancashire has no doubt that it will not be an issue this term, with last weekend’s pre-season friendly with Woking highlighting the side’s stamina in the latter stages of proceedings.

“I think David Flitcroft wants his team to be very fit and very mobile,” he added.

“You can’t just turn up on a Saturday and expect to be fit, you’ve got to put the hard work in.

“Everybody is going to be working hard this season and hopefully, starting the season on a good run.

“It’s a no-brainer because I know how the gaffer likes to work and I think it is the best way to be successful.

“I think history proves that with what he has done as assistant at Rochdale and at Bury as well.”

For those yet to see Lancashire in the flesh, the 28-year-old has featured heavily at the heart of the Town defence during their pre-season.

Having learned his trade in Southampton’s academy, the Basingstoke-born defender went on to make 13 appearances for the south coast club, who have seen the likes of Adam Lallana and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain come through the system, and Lancashire says that education has shaped him as a player.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better club to have learned my trade at,” he stated.

“I was there from 16 to 21 and a lot of good lads have gone on from there to have good careers at a very high level but there are also lads still doing their trade in the Football League as well.

“It’s a great place to not only learn how to become a footballer but a good person as well.

“I’m just a centre-half, who likes keeping clean sheets.

“I like to think I was brought up the right way, playing football the right way.

“I’m still good on the ball for a centre-half and when the time is right to play football, but ultimately, as a centre-half, all I want is clean sheets and organising people around me to make sure we are nice and solid and winning football matches.”

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