7:00am Monday 6th July 2009
By Anthony Marshall
TOWN boss Danny Wilson insists any new arrivals at the County Ground will be able to fit into a range of positions and systems as he bids to create a squad of quality rather than quantity for the 2009-10 campaign.
With more than 30 professionals on their books last season, Swindon boasted one of the biggest groups of players in League One.
But having released 13 in May, and with more set to follow, Wilson knows he will have to work with smaller numbers this time round.
Midfielders Alan O’Brien and Jonathan Douglas were both in talks last week about a switch to Wiltshire, and the duo are capable of performing in a number of areas across the park – something which the manager believes will be crucial.
“The nice thing about it is that the players we are identifying at the moment are ones who are versatile and can play a number of different systems if we choose to,” said Wilson.
“They will not feel they are uncomfortable in playing a different position than people would expect them to play.
“And that is going to be the essence of how we will go about our business this year. We don't want to be predictable and want to have players in areas where opponents will find it difficult.
“That is how we identify our players.”
Swindon’s players have been back at pre-season training for a week now, and Wilson revealed he has been pleasantly surprised by what he’s witnessed.
“It’s gone very well. We’ve got on board exactly what we wanted,” said the manager.
“We’ve tested them, had a lot of football and have broken them back in fairly gently.
“You don’t like to go overboard in the first week because it’s a long season and you don’t want them to burn out.
“I have to say I’ve not seen one bad trainer – we’ve got a great group of boys and they have really surprised me with the results we’ve had back from the fitness testing. They have come back in great shape.”
Town could complete the capture of former Hibernian winger O’Brien today.
The 24-year-old, released from Easter Road at the end of the season, will train with his prospective new teammates this morning, having arrived in Wiltshire yesterday for talks with Wilson and chairman Andrew Fitton.
Meanwhile, Swindon striker Simon Cox is expected to travel to the Midlands today for a medical ahead of his proposed £2million transfer to West Brom.
The 32-goal striker is understood to have already agreed personal terms, and new Baggies boss Roberto Di Matteo gave the move the green light on Thursday.
The evening, in aid of the Red Army Fund, will be hosted by another ex-Town player, Phil King with fans having the chance to quiz the trio.
Items including season tickets, away match travel days and a chance to train with the squad will also be up for auction.
The Red Army Fund, founded in 2003 to raise money to augment the club’s budget for new loan and permanent signings has raised more than £33,000 to date and helped to fund the signings of four players, including Greer on loan last season.
Red Army Fund coordinator Paul Wardell said: “It was great to be able to help out with the signing of Gordon last season.
“That is exactly why the fund was set up and we want to be able to help out on more occasions in the future." Entry to the event is free.
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