Sandro Di Michele does not think that Swindon lack experience in their squad

Sandro Di Michele said he was happy with the levels of experience in the Swindon Town squad after the transfer window closed. Total Sport’s Joe Acklam spoke to Swindon’s Technical Director at the unveiling of Jody Morris.

The January transfer window saw Louis Reed, Ben Gladwin, and Angus MacDonald all depart the County Ground, whilst only Charlie Austin out of the new recruits was over the age of 22.

Di Michele said that there were other factors at play with various departures from the squad and that it was not a plan to get younger.

He said: “I am really comfortable with the age profile, I would imagine it would be the one thing that gets labelled at us if we don’t go and get results.

“Personally I think that it is not as simplistic as that and I am really happy with what we have done in the window.

“What you have to remember with the players that left the club is the contract situation and the other financial implications that influence decisions.

“If they have six months remaining on their contracts and they are not looking to commit their future to the club, then if you can get a bit of money then they have to go.

“One of them was 30, one was 25, in regards to Ben Gladwin and Louis Reed and we got offered cash for them and we had to take it.

“It wasn’t conscious that we needed to get the age down, it was more to do with the contract situation and the way we saw the direction of travel with the team.”

Di Michele also waved away claims that Swindon might have left themselves short in the centre of defence.

He said: “I don’t think we are light in that place, although I understand why people are maybe thinking that, but I have complete faith in the squad that we have here.

“We are happy with where we are in the central positions, we have also brought in Dylan Kadji from Bristol City who could go there.

“He is six foot two, a good size, so he could go there if needed, although he has predominantly played as a defensive midfielder.

“What we saw there is a really young, energetic, physical, combative footballer who can get about the pitch.

“We felt that maybe we needed a bit more size through the pitch, but the other thing we like about him is he can handle the ball really well.

“Because of the way we want to play and dominate possession that is very important.

“I think he can be the rough diamond out of the lot, we missed out on our number one target in that position, but we actually think number two might be better than number one.

“From what I hear there was plenty of interest from League One clubs to sign him on a permanent basis, but Bristol City wouldn’t entertain that, so to have him here is really exciting.”