SWINDON TOWN: Wilson 'confident' of further signings

7:00am Wednesday 8th July 2009

By Anthony Marshall

DANNY Wilson has revealed he fought off several other clubs to land new winger Alan O’Brien - and immediately set his sights on further captures before Swindon depart on their pre-season tour.

Twenty-four-year-old O’Brien completed his switch to the County Ground on Monday night, penning a two-year-deal.

He will travel to Austria on Saturday with the rest of Town’s squad for their week-long training camp in Kaprun, and Wilson is hopeful there could be more fresh faces on the flight out of Gatwick.

“I’m confident,” said the Town boss, on the possibility of sealing a new signing ahead of the weekend.

“We will see another two or three in the next week or two weeks - maybe even more than that. Let’s hope that is the case. It’s easy to talk about it, but doing it is the hardest part.

“These things tend to either go very quickly and you get your man, or they are long and drawn out.

“Unfortunately we have had to wait a little bit longer than we would have wanted (to sign O’Brien), because he was still under contract with Hibs so that had to be sorted out. But thankfully it’s now come to the situation where we have been able to sign him, so that is fantastic.

“There were others after him and all the targets we have so far there have been other sides sniffing around, which makes it more difficult.

“It is players’ prerogative to look and listen to other clubs. It becomes a bit frustrating at times because you know they could possibly go somewhere else, but that’s the chance you’ve got to take sometimes.

“You just hope you’ve pitched your own position as best as you possibly can, and hope that is enough to get them to come in.”

Having signed a player with five international caps to his name as well as top flight experience in England and Scotland, Wilson believes Swindon could have a League One star on their books for next season.

However, the manager insists O’Brien is under no additional pressure to perform, despite his impressive CV.

“More than anything it is important to put an arm around his shoulder,” said Wilson of the former Newcastle and Hibernian man.

“He’s a confidence player and one of those who wants people to believe in him.

“The more games he plays and the better he gets on, people will believe in him and that will bring out the best in him. And we are hoping that will be the case.

“There’s no pressure on the boy, not at all. We are building a squad here, hopefully full of quality players.

“There will be personal pressure because they all want to do well, but there is no other pressure as we want them to try and maximise their abilities.

“Hopefully if he can play as well as we know he can play, and on a consistent basis, then we will have a real player on our hands.”