Dan the Fan: All aboard the Paolo promotion express (From Swindon Advertiser)

Dan the Fan: All aboard the Paolo promotion express

3:30pm Thursday 4th August 2011

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It’s been 13 Saturdays without any Swindon Town action and at last the big kick-off has arrived.

After the disaster of last season we all expected changes with the team and management, but as the final whistle went at Prenton Park on May 7th I don’t think anyone would have guessed who’d be our new manager.

When Swindon Town normally appoint a new manager its maybe mentioned on Sky Sports News or other media outlets but when you see a Sky reporter chase our new boss through a airport to get a interview you know the board have pulled off a big coup.

We of course knew all about Paolo Di Canio from his time in the UK playing for some big teams and causing big controversy but Paolo Di Canio the manager has a clean slate and I’m looking forward to watching him inspire us to promotion this season.

As I mentioned before we expected a new squad to take us forward this season, and as most of the old guard walked away from the County Ground a new fresh team was running past them.

Oliver Risser is the clubs new captain and replacement for Jonathan Douglas in central midfield, and after only a few minutes of the game you could see why he’s the new captain.

As well as being a great ball winner and passer, I was sat at the top of the Arkells stand and could clearly hear his instructions to the team, that’s what we desperately needed last season when Greer left, and finally it looks like we’ve got that leader back in the team.

Alan Connell didn’t really have enough time to show us what he’s made of but in the time he had you could tell he’ll be a big asset this season, he’s got pace, he read the game well and his confidence in his ability was on show with some big efforts on goal.

Aden Flint isn’t a new signing but after joining in January he didn’t get a real look in last season and after his displays in pre-season so far he deserves to start this Saturday but I think Paolo’s first choice centre-backs will be Devera and Comazzi.

The last time we played in League Two Swindon’s promotion never really looked in doubt, one reason for that was great management in Wise and Sturrock but also the standard of the opposition was very poor, of course we expect promotion this year but it won’t be as easy as last time.

Bradford, Bristol Rovers, Crawley, Crewe, Gillingham, and unfortunately Oxford are only some of the sides expected to finish high up the league and challenge Town to top spot.

Bradford has players like Luke O’Brien, David Syers, and James Hanson who all impressed last season and the signing of Guy Branston from Torquay will be vital to there promotion ambitions.

Out of all the teams I’ve mentioned Bristol Rovers have recruited the most players for the upcoming season, Joe Anyinsah will be a key player for them this season and Paul Buckle bringing Scott Bevan over from Torquay with him is a great piece of business.

Just like last season in the Conference National Crawley will be the team to beat over the season, like the previous summer they have thrown alot of money at players to tempt them in, and having a goal-scorer like Matt Tubbs will give them a big advantage.

Crewe will be relying on there excellent youth players to help them to promotion this season, Nick Powell, Harry & Max Clayton, Luke Murphy and Shaun Miller are all quality home grown players and a couple even played for England recently in the Under 17 World Cup.

Gillingham will be expected to challenge again this season with a strong squad including Luke Payne, Curtis Weston, Danny Kedwell and when he’s fully fit again Adam Birchall, and having local hero Andy Hessenthaler in charge will be to there advantage.

After underachieving last season Oxford will be out to prove they are now an established football league side after along time in the non-league wilderness, there key players for this season will be there front two, Tom Craddock and James Constable.

After looking at all of Towns promotions rivals I still expect us to finish inside the top three this season and anything else will be considered a underachievement.

Whatever happens with Paolo in charge and with it being Swindon Town I’m sure it won’t be a straight forward season and you know what, I can’t wait.

don't forget you can follow me on Twitter @danjohnson6.

Also take a look at my new blog on @NATTERFOOTBALL where i've been taking a detailed look at the best young players currently in League Two.

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