OLLY Lancashire may be tasked with setting the standard for Swindon Town on the pitch this season but the new club captain is sure they will not be found wanting for leaders.

Lancashire was given the armband by manager David Flitcroft last Friday and the 28-year-old delivered a performance worthy of the accolade as he helped a robust team to a 2-1 season-opening win at Carlisle United.

The centre-half is one of 10 summer signings made by Flitcroft as he looks to put together a squad capable of climbing out of League Two at the first attempt.

Experience has been a big part of that recruitment drive and Lancashire believes the fresh impetus within the camp has ensured the disappointment of last season’s relegation has not been allowed to linger.

“Leading the team out for the first time on Saturday was a real honour. Being captain is a role I have done before at Rochdale and it is something I enjoy doing,” Lancashire told the Advertiser.

“I have got James Dunne in front of me who has done that role as well, Ben Purkiss too at right back, so we have got good lads all over the place and on the bench as well putting their input in.

“We have got a good squad of characters and it will keep us in good stead for the season.

“Everything has settled really quickly this summer. Pre-season went really well, the trip to Portugal was massive in that, and all the lads have bedded in really quickly and bought into the gaffer’s ideas.

“That was important as the gaffer’s ideas are very different to what happened here last year. It was important that last year’s feeling around the club went out the door so we could push on.

“We want to forget about what happened at the club last year and this is a new start for everyone. We have new staff and a lot of new players so this is a new Swindon Town.

“We want to come into this league and be strong and powerful and win games. To do that in the first game is great.”

With Town seeming in control with a 2-0 lead just after half-time at Brunton Park, Carlisle set up a tense final half-hour when they cut the deficit.

However, they never really looked like surrendering their grip on the three points and Lancashire was quick to laud the hard edge within the team.

“When you go 2-0 up, it is a bit of a dangerous scoreline. You don’t know whether to go for the third or sit back,” he added.

“We made it a little bit difficult for ourselves but we are a new team and that sort of stuff will happen but I thought the lads put their bodies on the line in the last 10 minutes and I never really felt that we were going to concede that second.”

Lancashire’s next assignment as captain will be to try and guide his side into the second round of the Carabao Cup and although a stiff test awaits them up at Championship outfit Norwich City, Lancashire believes the contest will only benefit the team.

“You want to be playing at the highest level against the best players. It can only be a good experience playing against them and in a good stadium as well,” said Lancashire.

“We will go there with a game plan. The gaffer will talk to us and we will go there trying to win the game and get through to the next round.”

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