Di Canio Continues Robins Rebuild

Paolo Di Canio's arrival as manager has seen six departures from a Town squad already depleted through the return of three loan players to their parent clubs. However, following Monday's arrival of Joe Devera and Jonathan Smith from Barnet and York City respectively, the Italian believes a further five new players are required if Town are to realistically target promotion next season.

Former Juventus striker Vincent Pericard and Polish 'keeper Jakub Jesionkowski leave Town having not been offered opportunited to renew their respective contracts. They join Michael Rose, David Prutton, Alan Sheehan and Scott Cuthbert on Swindon's departure list as Di Canio continues to make his mark on the Town squad.

So, with that in mind, just what signings are still needed for the 2011-12 season?

Goalkeeper: With number one David Lucas recently having signed a new contract and Phil Smith providing more than adequate cover, a 'keeper wont be necessary as Di Canio wheels and deals in the transfer market. Young stopper Mark Scott has also told the club he wants to stay. The 20-year-old was one of nine players out-of-contract at the end of the season and has verbally accepted a new one-year deal, whilst the aforementioned Jesionkowski falls victim to Town's relegation, leaving the club for pastures new.

Defence: Town have three players able to play in the right back position. Paul Caddis had a superb first season there but looks increasingly likely be deployed to the right wing next season. Kevin Amankwaah, a player who shone in 2009/10's play-off achieving side, had a poor and inconsistent 2010/11 campaign disrupted by injuries. He does, however, remain an adequate full back for League Two standard with youngster Nathan Thompson, who recently signed a new one-year contract, set to challenge him for the right back berth.

Lescinel on his way?

At left back however, both Michael Rose and Alan Sheehan have left the club (to Colchester United and Notts Counry respectively) leaving the youthful and inexperienced Callum Kennedy as Town's remaining left back. Both Lescinel Jean-Francois and Michael Timlin are able to adapt to left back but both are yet to accept the new deals offered to them, making it increasingly likely that a left back is logically a must for Di Canio in the transfer market.

One of Swindon's key failures last season was the inability to replace the leadership qualities displayed by former captain Gordon Greer in the centre of defence, who joined Brighton last Summer. Scott Cuthbert has recently left for pastures new and with Jean-Francois believed to be on the move, Town's remaining centre halves are two 'future talents' in Adent Flint and Milan Misun. Devera's signing from Barnet seems to be a direct replacement for Cuthbert but an experienced, leader is still an absolute must for Di Canio in the transfer market as Town seek to put right last season's failures.



Douglas set to stay?

Midfield: The main talking point in midfield is that of captain Jonathan Douglas' future. The skipper is another of the out-of-contract players but is yet to be offered a new deal. The combative central midfielder was influential in Town's fine 2009/10 season and, despite an inconsitent campaign last year, is one of a few players Swindon fans hope to see in a red jersey next season. With Timlin seemingly stalling on a new deal and reports linking him with a return to Southend United, with whom he previously had a successful loan spell, Di Cano's move to bring in Jonathan Smith from York City could prove to be a direct replacement for the former Fulham midfielder.

Matt Ritchie's form on the left wing last season was one of very few positives from a campaign to forget for Town fans. The former Portsmouth midfielder recently stated his intent to remain at Swindon and could prove to be an invaluable asset for the Robins.

Down the opposite flank, Jon-Paul McGovern looks increasingly likely to depart the County Ground, with the national media linking him with a move to Sheffield United to be reuinted with former Town boss Danny Wilson. The versatile Caddis is, therefore, likely to be his direct replacement, earning good reviews when deployed there last season. Therefore, a player able to position himself on either wing is likely to be on Di Canio's agenda as he strives to build a team capable of promotion.

Benyon yet to impress

Attack: A lack of goals last season was a significant factor in Town's demise and ultimately their relegation. Following Charlie Austin's January move to Championship club Burnley, Swindon scored just 13 goals in 20 games, with replacements for both him and Billy Paynter not living up to expectations. However, Elliot Benyon is proven in League Two, scoring 14 goals for play-off runners up Torquay before his move to Town and could prove to be an important asset in Swindon's strikeforce upon his and Town's return to the Football League's basement divison. At least two strikers are therefore are an absolute necessity for Di Canio and Swindon, with the inesperienced Billy Bodin currently Town's only registered forward.

The key for Paolo Di Canio this season will be quality, not quanitity. Under Football League rulings, League Two holds a mandatory wage cap that limits spending on players' wages to 60% of club turnover. Despite having one of the bigger budgets in the division, Di Canio and indeed interim chairman Jeremy Wray have suggested a squad of 22 being a reasonable attribute for a Town squad aiming for promotion.