With 16 new players arriving under Di Canio, Johno’ gives his view on our best starting XI.

New players have come from all over the globe, presumably enticed by the fact that Swindon was formerly twinned with Disney World, but which of these players has shown promise in a troubled start to the season?

Paolo has struggled so far to maintain a first eleven, sometimes through injury but mostly through tinkering and seemingly not knowing his best eleven.With so many new players, almost two players competing for every position on the pitch, it’s not surprising.

So here is my best eleven for the season ahead with the players I have seen plus those at the club who have at least had some game time.

Goalkeepers

Phil Smith has started every game so far this season and has been a loyal servant to Swindon Town. He’s a great character and a good keeper but sadly so far this season one mistake has led to another. If Di Canio did keep his faith in Smith I’d be happy but with mistakes comes an opportunity for Lanzano.

Lanzano signed from US Gavorrano, which I’m sure we have all heard of…anyway, with the recent mistakes, Mattia had his chance and even though he wasn’t troubled too much on Saturday, played well but in time we shall see if we have the next Buffon or Massimo Taibi.

Defenders

Only three new defenders were brought in over the summer and one of them, Alessandro Cibocchi, has only just come out of hiding. Joe Devera and Alberto Comazzi came in to fill in the big holes at central defence but we had Aden Flint all along!

Devera started the season alongside Flint with Comazzi suffering an injury in pre season and it was lucky Flint burst onto the scene as he did because against Crewe he was clearing up a lot of his partner’s mess.

When we signed Devera from Barnet I had my doubts as The Bees only just stayed in League Two last season but most say he’s a good prospect. I’ve failed to see Devera show this potential as he lacks concentration shown for example when he didn’t stand goal side for James Constables second goal in the 2-1 defeat to Oxford. Sadly, Comazzi gets in based on the fact that Devera hasn’t shown much potential but Comazzi could turn out the same as we have yet to really see much of the former AC Milan defender.

The full back positions also cover themselves with Caddis being captain at the moment so having to play at right-back. Callum Kennedy has been the ever present left-back but with an average start to the season, I’m sure Cibocchi will get a chance to impress soon.

Midfielders

The central midfield position saw an abundance of new talent through Olivier Risser, Alan McCormack, Jonathan Smith and newly signed West Ham loanee Ahmed Abdulla.

Risser was quickly appointed club captain and hasn’t lived up to what we were told about the Namibian international in his first few games. Also through injury, Risser was dropped and in came the fans favourite Simon Ferry. Ferry should have been playing in league one last season so I’m glad he has been given his chance and proved his ability already in League Two.

Di Canio has said why he wasn’t going to play Ferry and said how the central midfielder was close to the exit door but the Scot has come out the other side a regular first eleven figure. Alongside him has been Jonathan Smith, who like Devera, was signed as a good prospect. So far Smith seems to be in the same mould as Michael Pook, the try hard but what does he actually do? Smith seems a good footballer but with Simon Ferry being a good passer and mover, a natural player to go alongside him would be the tackler (aka Douglas type) and McCormack fits the bill.

The wingers also are self explanatory with Matt Ritchie being one of the clubs best players. However, he does start on the right wing at the moment rather than the left but that could be because Gabilondo is a more natural left winger. Gabilondo has also come in and made a bright start to his Swindon career. He is still adapting and will need time to get use to English football but from what we have seen, we have a good player on our hands in time.

Strikers

And finally the front line that last year was nearly non-existent but this year it should be different. In came Italian Raffaele De Vita from Livingston, Algerian Mehdi Kerrouche, Alan Connell from the not so glamorous Grimsby, at the time big signing Leon Clarke and finally Czech ‘International’ Lukas Magera.

De Vita started the season with Billy Bodin presumably because Connell or Kerrouche weren’t fit and the others hadn’t signed yet. De Vita struggled in his early games but does seem a Di Canio favourite (starting every league game), even starting on the left wing on Saturday ahead of Gabilondo and Esajas. I’m not a fan of De Vita on the wing or up front as, in my eyes, he lacks the killer instinct which would be seen in the partnership of Connell and Kerrouche.

We signed Lukas Magera with high expectations and with many good reports but with not much to go by I’ve not picked the Czech. He could be a great signing but I want to pick players who we’ve seen a good amount of game time from.

Connell has not been able to get a first team place even though in most games he has come on in he has proved a lively spark, clearly shown against Rotherham on Saturday. Likewise Kerrouche has shown what he can do in parts of games he has played. He brings energy, pace and a fight up front for the ball. This fight trait in him has been reckless at times but with control and time, he could prove to be a terror with Connell in the upcoming season.

(4-4-2) Mattia Lanzano, Paul Caddis, Aden Flint, Alberto Comazzi, Callum Kennedy, Lander Gabilondo, Simon Ferry, Alan McCormack, Matt Ritchie, Mehdi Kerrouche, Alan Connell.

So, that’s my first XI and why, do you agree?