Evaluating Ollie Banks' Swindon Town debut: just how good was he?

January signing Ollie Banks made his Swindon Town debut on Saturday and immediately impressed his new set of fans.

Banks was announced as a Swindon Town player on Friday but had been at the club since Wednesday and therefore only had two training sessions with the club prior to his debut.

He made it look like he had been at the club for years though in an impressive first display that earned him the man-of-the-match award in the club's 1-0 win over Forest Green on Saturday.

Being named MOTM was perhaps a tad kind by the sponsors, who wanted to give the new boy the warmest of welcomes to Wiltshire, as Keshi Anderson and Kaiyne Woolery arguably had better games, but there was substance to the sentiment because Banks was no doubt impressive. 

The 25-year-old was part of the sitting midfield pair in Swindon's 3-4-1-2 system that they have adopted in recent matches that has led to three wins in succession.

Right from the off, Banks was trying inventive passes to unlock the Forest Green defence. Not all of them worked, especially his very first touch, which was a lofted ball that went straight out for a throw, but as the game grew, so did he.

The Oldham loanee moved the ball about with intent and purpose, something Swindon have sorely lacked in the middle of the pitch since the injury to on-loan Derby man, Timi Elsnik.

In just one match, it was clear to see the skills Banks has picked up in recent seasons and the instruction he has recieved from his new manager to be a creative force in the Town side.

Speaking after the match, Banks told Total Sport:

"The last couple of years I've been playing a bit deeper trying to get on the ball, but I spoke to the gaffer and we're both in agreement he wants me to play a bit further forward and show what I did in the promotion season [with Chesterfield in 2013-14].

"I got nine goals that year and hopefully I can do that again."

He was complimented by the more defensively-minded James Dunne, who has not been as popular with Swindon fans since he joined on a free from Cambridge in the summer.

Banks feels his working relationship with Dunne started off well though and the on-pitch leadership his midfield partner shows is more important to the team than people might realise.

"It was enjoyable with him to be honest, he organises well, there's not a minute in the game where he's not pulling your ear here and there and when you've not got someone behind you talking to you it can make things very difficult."

Oldham fans were not exactly singing the praises of Banks when the news of his loan was announced, but Tranmere supporters were the polar opposite after he impressed in his two-month stint at Prenton Park.

After finding his feet again in the National League, Banks has made a good early marker in proving that he is cut out for the Football League again.

Picture via Swindon Town FC