Is The League Two Title A Realistic Target For Swindon Town Next Season?

It has been a season to forget for Swindon Town and their supporters. After suffering an embarrassing relegation back to the fourth tier of English football last year, Swindon have failed to qualify for the playoffs – let alone challenge for automatic promotion. Phil Brown, appointed on a short-term contract back in March, has led the team to just one victory in 10 games during his brief tenure and the club look set to move on from the former Hull City boss this summer.

According to a Sky Sports article from August 2017, Swindon Town were favourites (7/3) to win the League Two crown with several high street bookmakers. An in-house points simulator predicted that the Robins would win the title, with Port Vale one point behind in the second spot. Mind you, the same predictor also estimated that eventual champions Accrington Stanley would finish in 10th so that may not be the most reliable source. Let's not forget that, at the time, Swindon could be found elsewhere at a lengthy 14/1 to finish first in the league and 6/4 to bag a playoff spot, positions that ultimately went to Coventry, Notts County, Lincoln, and Exeter.

Swindon fans are right to feel both angry and disappointed at how the 2017/18 season has panned out though.

Should He Stay Or Should He Go?

The general consensus is that Brown will leave the club at the end of the season and fans are split on whether the 58-year-old should be given another chance to prove his worth at the County Ground. With the exception of his six-game stint as caretaker manager of Bolton Wanderers in 1999, Brown’s managerial record is shoddy at best. An overall win percentage of 34.9% hardly inspires confidence and supporters will have reservations over whether he is indeed the right man for the job.

Phil Brown on his future as @Official_STFC manager pic.twitter.com/7Vf4fv2QOT

— BBC Wiltshire Sport (@BBCWiltsSport) April 27, 2018

Swindon were not even close to being good enough this season and Robins fans will expect a significant improvement in 2018/19. With 67 goals in 46 games, Swindon have not been prolific by any means. At the time of writing, six teams have scored more goals than Brown’s side in the league this campaign – including 17th placed Cheltenham Town. The Robins have been held to nil in four of their previous seven League Two fixtures and another tough day for the strikers could signal the end of Brown’s tenure.

Lots Of Change Expected This Summer

Fans will be expecting plenty of transfer activity too; a few key personalities have hinted at a departure this summer and the club will not stand in their way if profit can be made. Selling all of Swindon’s brightest prospects would be foolish though; the Robins have a blueprint to build momentum and challenge for silverware in the coming years – keeping a group of top youngsters at the club is imperative.

Defensively, the Robins have really struggled and their frailties at the back may be the main reason for their failures this season. Swindon have conceded 65 goals, giving Brown’s side an overall goal difference of -1. The Robins have been found wanting at times in 2017/18 and Swindon will need to be astute in the transfer window. Moving quickly and effectively to acquire players could be the difference between automatic promotion and another mid-table finish.

With so much uncertainty surrounding Swindon, fans may want to hold off before betting on the Robins to go and win the 2018/19 League Two title. Most bookmakers now offer various promotions and punters should check these out in a bid to maximise profit. Swindon aren’t exactly a sure-fire bet at this moment in time and the chance to use free bets on this long-term outcome carries plenty of appeal. There will be many twists and turns before the start of the campaign, let alone throughout the season.

The Clock Is Ticking...

Earlier this week, Brown revealed his frustration at his current situation: “On Tuesday, I will be sitting down with the owner and we will see where it takes us. I am a little bit in the dark, if truth be known, with one game to go.” A jubilant Accrington were in party mode at the County Ground but Swindon stepped up to the plate to give the fans a positive end to the campaign. Should one victory in what is essentially a meaningless game determine whether Brown keeps his job or not? Of course, it shouldn’t… and it won’t.

Swindon chairman Lee Power will know, and probably has known for a while, if the club are going to part ways with Brown or not. Either way, Swindon should be aiming to compete for the League Two crown next season – early momentum is key. The Robins were playing catch up during the first half of the campaign and that turned out to be costly. If Swindon are in the mix at the business end of the 2018/19 season, you’d fancy the Robins to push on and pile the pressure on their rivals.

Winning the League Two title would mean so much to Swindon fans; it would also mean a lot to the local area. That 3-0 final day victory over Accrington doesn’t really change much – Swindon were still very disappointing for most of the campaign. Whether Brown stays or goes, the club need to sit down and formulate a plan for the future. Something has to be done if Swindon are to challenge for major honours next season; it isn’t an easy fix by any means.