SWINDON TOWN

LAST SEASON LEAGUE ONE 23rd FA CUP First Round LEAGUE CUP First Round TOP SCORER Brett Pitman ( 12)

F A n F I L E RICH PULLEN @ Loathedstranger

Last season was a perfectly executed disasterclass.

The big talking point among the fans is if – when? – the club will have a new owner after a prolonged and bitter court battle.

This season will be different to

last because a new owner could be the dawning of a new era.

Instead of going to the football

last season I spent more time with the family... and it’s been delightful. I won’t be happy unless we show a marked improvement from last season’s horror show. Our most underrated player is right- back Rob Hunt. Great first season, unfortunate with injuries in his second, but I rate him highly.

Look out for Harry Parsons, who’s a talented forward- minded player and the only youth graduate to be offered terms this summer. The opposition player I secretly

admire is Vaclav Hladky, who was at Salford before joining Ipswich this summer. No idea if he’s any good, but it’s a magnificent name. The pantomime villain will be

Tranmere Rovers fans. I look forward to them reminding me on social media that our floodlights went out in a game against them in 1992. The one change I’d make would be positivity from all angles. It’d be nice. Save the date for Bristol Rovers, both home and away. Out of all our ‘ rivals’, I don’t really mind them.

The best thing about matchday at Swindon is just being back at the County Ground. It’s been a while.

The ground I’m most looking forward to visiting is Wetherby Road. I’m told that Harrogate is a lovely day out.

The best Swindon social media account is the replies on the official Town Twitter page. We can be such a hilariously angsty bunch.

Other clubs’ fans don’t know that we participated in a 12- goal Charity Shield thriller against Manchester United in 1911. The Robins lost 8- 4.

Our key player will be Brett Pitman [ above]. If we play to his strengths, then he’ll score goals.

We’ll finish 12th.

23RD FFT VERDICT

Lee Power and Clem Morfuni’s legal battle over ownership has hindered preparations; likewise John Mcgreal’s understandable exit as manager after 30 days. Delayed recruitment means the Robins will be playing catch- up – hardly optimal preparation.