2011/12: 10 Things To Look Forward To

With just days until the 2011/12 fixture lists are released, just what is there for fans of Swindon to look forward to having rejoined League Two after a four year absence?

1) Paolo Di Canio: Will the fiery Italian's infamous on-the-field temperament live on in the dugout? Will he be more brainy than brawny now he holds responsibility for the management of a team? How will he take to post-match press conferences with Vic Morgan? All these questions and more will be answered in the coming season having signed an initial two year deal to manage Swindon. The former West Ham striker is inexperienced to say the least, and popular opinion suggests he is merely using Town as a 'stepping stone', but one thing is for certain; Swindon fans are in for a roller coaster ride this coming season.

2) Transfer Rumour Mill: Close season and no tournament in which England can showcase their spectacular levels of mediocrity in means the newspaper's backpages will be filled with one thing and one thing only; transfer gossip. And with Paolo Di Canio keen to bring at least five new faces to the Country Ground, rumours of the wildest nature will be circulating SN1. Oh, and if Di Canio's opening press conference is anything to go by, expect messers Ronaldo and Messi to be arriving shortly ...

3) New Signings: A promised summer rebuild is on the agenda for Swindon so expect an influx of at least five players as Town strive to construct a squad capable of securing an instant return to League One. Key areas that must be addressed include left back and striker positions respectively as Town fans eagerly await each new signing perform the infamous scarf-over-head photo shoot.

4) Pre-Season: For some, pre season offers up pointless friendly games with local, lower league opposition. For others and indeed the majority, it provides the perfect tonic to football fans country-wide feeling at loss without their beloved football clubs and eagerly awaiting August 6th. Expect trialists galore and the odd football tour, as teams and fans alike prepare for the season opening. Already announced for Town are local away games with Cirencester Town and Swindon Supermarine respectively, but with a Di Canio inspired tour of Italy and big-name home friendly in the offing, there's plenty to get excited about.

5) Being A Big Fish In A Small Pond: Without wanting to sound like a Leeds fan, Swindon ARE one of the bigger clubs in League Two. And with that, naturally, everyone will be wanting to beat Town. Expect bigger attendances, bigger away support and a bigger budget as Swindon aim for promotion back to League One at the first attempt.

6) Oxford Home/Away: As rivalries go, it’s rarely mentioned in the same breath as Real-Barca or the Old Firm. But, as with any other clubs in the world, to fans of the teams concerned, it’s the fiercest rivalry they know, the only one that matters. One good thing to come out of Swindon’s relegation to League Two is it means the battle for local bragging rights is back on. Undoubtedly, the biggest rivalry for both Swindon and Oxford, the A420 derby has been a long time coming. Ten years have passed since Oxford dumped Town out of the FA Cup in 2002 despite their lower league status; a result Robins fans will be eagerly hoping to avenge this season.

7) Other Minor Derby Games: Matches against Bristol Rovers have been dramatic in recent years and the only rivalry Town fans have been able to partake in. Now, with the likes of Cheltenham Town and Gillingham in the waiting, supporters will be looking to reignite those age old rivalries that make football what it is.

8) New Away Days: Many a Swindon fan will never have travelled to the likes of AFC Wimbledon, Burton Albion and Morecambe. So naturally, trips to Kingsmeadow, the Pirelli Stadium and the Globe Arena offer an opportunity to tick more of those grounds off as 'visited' as fans strive to complete their football league seventy-two.

9) Increased Media Coverage: Some may think, what with the drop in division and ultimately standard of football on offer, media coverage of Town next season is similarly likely to lessen. However, with the Di Canio circus firmly in town, Swindon will often be the hot topic of conversation with regard to this division.

10) The football: Di Canio has already suggested that, being a winner himself, he'll play to win. Whether he'll adopt the Italian style of football he's most used to remains to be seen but it's sure to be entertaining for Town fans!