Pitman ready to fill goals void at STFC

BRETT PITMAN is raring to go, insisting he is capable of scoring big goals for Swindon Town in League One this season after signing for the club last week. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker spoke to the Swindon striker earlier today.

A prolific career so far sees 32-year-old Pitman arrive at the County Ground having scored multiple goals in the Championship, League One, and League Two divisions. Now he is targeting a successful season in Wiltshire and believes he can be the figure to fill the goals void left by Eoin Doyle. 

“I’m not sure I’ll get the 43 goals that [Jerry] Yates and [Eoin] Doyle scored, but I have always thrived whenever I have been the main striker,” said Pitman.

“When I was playing week-in week-out at Portsmouth and Bournemouth my goals tally was pretty good. 

“I think the number of games I play normally dictates the number of goals I score. If I play 46 games then I will score my fair share of goals,” he added. 

“My goalscoring varies really and any goal is a good goal. 

“I don’t have a specific type of goal that I am known for scoring but hopefully I can score a few whilst I’m here,” he said.

Joining Swindon on a one-year deal, Pitman is the Robins most surprising signing of the transfer window so far. But despite having offers to play elsewhere, Pitman explained how an in-depth discussion with manager Richie Wellens made him want to join the club.

“I was impressed when I arrived. Impressed with the lads and their training tempo, impressed with the manager and the detail he went into, and now I’m just looking forward to getting the league started,” Pitman said. 

“The manager told me how he wants to play and he has an attractive style which should suit how I want to play.

“It was nice to get out against Charlton but I had only trained on Friday so to get ten minutes was a bonus. 

“Hopefully I will get some more minutes tomorrow night and be ready for Saturday,” he added.

A successful career to date has seen Pitman score 177 career goals whilst playing in the second, third, and fourth divisions of English Football. 

When asked if this makes him a senior figure within the squad, Pitman explained that he and a few other select players will need to be leaders both in the dressing room and on-pitch when the season gets underway.

“I think I will be that leader naturally,” said Pitman.

"The squad is pretty young and the manager has said he wants the experienced players to take the lead in the changing rooms. 

“I’m a good talker on the pitch and if something needs to be said then I will say it.

“We aren’t fearing for the drop,” he added.

“There are lots of big clubs in League One but that has been the case for the past few seasons. 

“Playing for those big clubs brings big expectations and a lot of players can’t deal with that,” said Pitman.

After being frozen out by Portsmouth manager Kenny Jackett throughout last season, he arrives at Swindon having not played a competitive league fixture since December 29th. 

Pitman, however, insists he is fully fit ahead of Swindon’s EFL Trophy fixture against West Brom’s U-21 side tomorrow. 

“It was a long lockdown and I tried to make the best of the situation,” stated Pitman.

“I was doing different activities to keep fit but you can’t replicate training day in day out with a team. 

“I think I am fit but match fitness will only come by playing matches. I’ve been good at getting through games in the past so I don’t see too much of a problem with getting started.

“It’s been long but I’m glad to get the deal sorted,” added Pitman.