5 Realistic Signings For Swindon Town – Opinion
Swindon Town fell short of their expected target of reaching the play-offs in League Two last season and will aim to bounce back next season, but who could they look to target this summer?
The club finished 10th last season while going through two separate managerial spells. Swindon started the season with Scott Lindsey, who guided them to the play off places before departing for Crawley Town in January.
Following this, former technical director Sandro Di Michele came to the conclusion that ex-Chelsea coach Jody Morris was next-in-line for the job. However, Morris’ stint was unimpressive, eventually being sacked a few months later, resulting in coaches Gavin Gunning and Steve Mildenhall taking temporary charge until the end of the season.
Upon the end of the 2022/23 season, it was confirmed that ex-Newport and Walsall manager Michael Flynn would be Morris’ successor. Flynn has reached two play-off finals during his time at Newport and was considered the right man to take Swindon back to League One.
With a new manager comes a new expectation and as such a new set of players. Flynn has already made one outgoing with Ellis Iandolo moving to Colchester United for an undisclosed fee.
Swindon are in desperate need of some experienced heads like Charlie Austin to help guide the younger talents through the campaign, something which the Robins missed last season.
If Flynn’s Swindon are to reach the play-offs in an already competitive division, improvements will need to be made to the squad to ensure they can challenge as best as they can.
Buckle up, as we take you through five players Swindon Town should look to sign in the summer window.
Jordan Moore-Taylor
The 29-year-old defender, is definitely one player that I think the Robins should look to sign this summer.
Moore-Taylor was a part of the squad that saw Forest Green Rovers lift the League Two title back in the 2021/22 season. The left footed defender has operated majorly as a centre half as well as being able to play as a left back.
It also makes sense geographically for Swindon to go for Moore-Taylor. Based in the South West, Swindon should be a viable option for the defender who has played the majority of his career in the southern parts of England.
Moore-Taylor adds some much needed experience to the Swindon squad and also has that title winning nature which can help guide Swindon in their aims for play off contention.
Udoka Godwin-Malife
Another Forest Green Rovers defender, the 23-year-old is another player that Swindon should be looking to add to their ranks.
Godwin-Malife was also a part of the league winning Forest Green Rovers side. Last season, he also played League One football gaining more valuable experience. He majorly plays as a centre-back but is also able to operate as a right back.
It’s another suggestion that also works geographically too. He would be able to provide good competition to Marcel Lavinier, who has started both pre-season games under Flynn as a right centre-back in a three-at-the-back formation, also where Godwin-Malife is best.
Despite being on the younger side, Udoka Godwin-Malife has the necessary experience and quality to help Swindon in their play off campaign, as well as adding real stability to their defensive line.
Matt Penney
The 25-year old left-back has just been released by recently promoted Ipswich Town following loans ranging from League One club’s to SPFL sides.
Penney has struggled to get a run of games in the higher divisions. This could see him be willing to drop down to League Two level, where I believe he could really excel.
Despite only being 25, Penney would bring valuable experience of playing at higher levels to Swindon. The attacking wing-back will provide competition for Tyrese Shade and is a strong option for the left-wing-back position.
Liam O’Neil
The 29-year-old defensive midfielder has recently been released by Cambridge United after six years.
O’Neil would protect the backline which is something that Swindon have missed since the departure of Anthony Grant.
He has a winning mentality, achieving promotion with Cambridge in the 2020/21 season finishing 2nd behind Cheltenham Town.
He’s shown his loyalty to the club’s he’s been at, one of which was Cambridge where he stayed for six years making 145 appearances for the League One side.
Shaqai Forde
The 19-year-old forward has just come off the back of a successful loan spell with York City playing 20 games and scoring nine goals in the National League.
The young, energetic forward displayed his pace and power for York. Nine goals in 20 games is impressive for a 19-year-old forward. Forde will be looking to make the step up in order to continue developing his game.
Watford will be keen to loan the forward out in order to keep him firing and there is no better mentor to have than Charlie Austin in my honest opinion.
Austin will be able to help develop Forde’s raw quifies and with the correct advice, Forde playing off Austin could be a lethal partnership for Swindon.
