Paolo Di Canio.

[TheDukeOfBanbury]

Can't help getting excited with the developments at the CG with this new era.

Last time we had a tough pre-season was with Wise and made a great start.
I am sure more players will follow this week.

Lets hope PDC's judgement is spot on with the players we know little about.
Any chance of Mex and Paul D coming back ?

Spoke to Mex the other week and I know the urge of both Pox games are appealing. I reckon he will go to these games, I hope so.
Interested whether people are more impressed with the Manager since his initial appointment.

[Saxondale]

Mex came down to a show I did in Brighton recently.  He did mention the oxford games and how much it was going to hurt missing them but he's adamant that he has to stick to his principles.  He's pretty busy setting up a new venue as well so I doubt we'll see him again until PDC gets headhunted / sacked.

[Benzel]

Definitely impressed with his ideas. The training regime he is implementing and how he quite clearly understands the meaning of the Pox game.

If there is one thing this squad is going to be come August 6th - it is fighting fit and able to last 90 minutes no problem.  
 
Really looking forward to the friendlies back on home soil, can't wait to see the new look team.

[Don Rogers Shop]

Can't see it myself.I know Paul has also returned his season tickets,which is a shame.

Agree about the manager just seems to be making the right noises.I know that's not enough in itself but it seems he does have players who want to play for him and added to the fact that we have a few decent players here already things could be ok.

A fair few fans are moaning about us bringing in unknown foreigners but i do think they are forgetting that we are adding these players to some experienced british players already.

[Ralphy]

Is the Supermarine game on July 19th the first friendly on home soil ?

[leefer]

Well to be fair in reality he has only been here a week,now i for one will be judging him this time next season to be honest.
Like the way he talked up the youngsters and the fitness side of things look first class.
Of course like most i am frustrated we hav'nt brought in the full quota of playing staff yet but he brings a great vibe to the club and will bring in added exitement to the opposition teams and fans this coming season.
As for Mex,Pauld and Ben i think they will be back for a number of reasons in the not to distant future on account of

1....doing to well to keep away.
2....doing so well that our man in charge will be away also

Be nice to see them back,Paul especially will be missing the debates i am sure.

[Iffy's Onion Bhaji]

Can't see it myself.I know Paul has also returned his season tickets,which is a shame.

Agree about the manager just seems to be making the right noises.I know that's not enough in itself but it seems he does have players who want to play for him and added to the fact that we have a few decent players here already things could be ok.

A fair few fans are moaning about us bringing in unknown foreigners but i do think they are forgetting that we are adding these players to some experienced british players already.

Indeed. Go through our current proposed starting 11 and most of them are British based players bar 2 or 3.

What i've been most impressed with is his desire to get us playing as a unit. He dropped a good hint in one of his recent interviews about some of the squad from last season leaving because he didn't see any unity with them and that they were playing as individuals.

There's a risk with foreign players but i'm really liking the Italy tour and the way it's going to help squad building and getting the players playing with each other and seeing each other all day every day. It's only going to help the likes of Comazzi bed in nicely. Gary Rose reported today that Risser looked very good in training and was vocal. I'm guessing he must have really impressed to get a contract offer. We've seen with the Knight issue that PDC didn't waste any time showing him the door. He knows what he wants from every player or potential player.

I'm caustiously optimistic. No point in saying we'll be going up because we all know that would be silly after last season but let's be honest it can't get much worse than that.

[Ralphy]

You've gotta love the guy...

[yeo]

I still think its going to be a disaster and cant make either of the Oxford games because of work.I doubt I'll go to any games,not for any moral reason though.

[Spencer_White]

I think Paolo Di Canio is the most exciting manager weve signed on for years.

But the squad isnt there yet. The situation in terms of forwards at the club is pretty dire. I worry he is signing too many foreigners, and although they may well come good in the end, there may be quite a long settling in period.

Wise and Poyet managed to sign good British players (with the odd bit of real real foreign quality like Brezovan). In fact the only area Wise and Poyet didnt sign good players was up front, and once again, that shows how difficult it has been to sign strikers in the summer since the introduction of the transfer window.

[Batch]

I have absolutely no idea how we will fare this season. If Di Canio manages half as well as he talks we will have a fit, motivated and determined team.

Will that be enough, no idea. But as a comparison here is a link to out last promotion winning squad:

http://swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Squad.asp?Season=2006-2007

What we are thus far missing (strikers aside) is the type of experience the likes of Vincent/Gurney/Peacock and Roberts brought in. Its also interesting to note we had a fair few goals scored from others such as 11 in total from Lucas J, Blair Sturock and Paul Evans - Roberts and Peaks got only 10 league goals each and were top scorers.

[Spencer_White]

Ive been shocked at how complacent DV has been in terms of the quality of L2. For me if you really want to go out and win L2 and be the outstanding team you will still need 5 players currently capable of playing at Championship level.

[OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR]

I aint got a scooby-fucking-do how we're going to do this season.

[Nemo]

Who are those five players in Chesterfield's squad?

[Batch]

I'm not sure that's realistic, getting 5 championship standard players. Don't think I can spot 5 in that Wise team. Roberts, if sober. There are a fair few league 1 players there though.

At the same time I think its a bit too much of an unknown as to what we have right now. Ritchie, Caddis and Ferry are quality. But only 1 of them are 'spine of the team' types. Guess we'll see.