Swindon Town Urgently Need Defensive Reinforcements

For any neutrals watching Swindon Town’s early efforts this season, there’s certainly been no shortage of goals to provide entertainment. However, despite being the joint highest scorers in League 2 after the opening three matches of the 2018-19 campaign, Phil Brown’s team also have the joint-worst defensive record – a statistic leaving many Robins fans with serious concerns.

Priced at 15/1 odds with redbet for promotion from League 2 this season, if Swindon Town are to achieve those ambitions, either defensive performances must improve significantly, or further signings must be made to shore up the leaky Robins rearguard.

The key difficulty is that since the transfer window closed earlier this year on August 9th, the club must now look to free agents or additional loan signings ahead of the ‘extended period’ closing at 5pm on August 31th, if the team is to be strengthened effectively.

Image Source: @Official_STFC via Twitter

According to the current EFL rules and regulations, clubs are limited to a maximum of eight loan transfers in total each season. Importantly, the EFL also states: “A maximum of five players registered on a temporary loan transfer can be named in the players listed on a team sheet for any individual match played under the auspices of the league.”

Given that Swindon Town already have defender Sid Nelson, midfielder Steven Alzate, plus forward Elijah Adebayo on loan, it wouldn’t really make much sense to sign more than two more players on loan deals. Likewise, higher division clubs are unlikely to consider sending their players to the County Ground, unless regular matches can be guaranteed.

Having conceded so many goals already, there’s a desperate need to reinforce a defence that is not only limited in options available to manager Phil Brown, but also in terms of experience. Olly Lancashire and Chris Robertson are the most seasoned defensive players, whilst the remaining options are far less experienced and aged 22 or younger.

Dion Conroy, Sid Nelson, Joe Romanski and Kyle Knoyle certainly don’t lack the potential for improvement, but troublesome defensive displays so far by the team suggest that further strength and depth is required sooner, rather than later. However, the options to sign one or two more experienced defenders is very limited.

Image Source: @Official_STFC via Twitter

There’s been no shortage of rumours and gossip on fan forums about potential signings, amidst hopes of additional defensive signings being made. One name somewhat speculatively mentioned was Tunisian international Bilel Mohsni, but the 31-year-old centre-back is apparently headed for the Turkish Premier League, having rejected the chance to stay at Scottish Championship side, Dundee United.

Meanwhile, the only concrete reports for potential targets are surrounding players based in Ireland. According to reports in the Irish Sun, Swindon Town owner Lee Power has been linked with interest in left-back Shane Griffin and attacking midfielder Kieran Sadlier. However, the reports also suggest that neither are likely to move until the January transfer window, which doesn’t solve immediate defensive concerns.

With the clock ticking, we can only wait and see what the remaining days of the ‘Extended Period’ of the summer transfer window has in store for Swindon, although it’s more than evident that defensive signings must surely be the priority.