One year on, Raffa impressed with composed Di Canio (From This Is Swindon Town FC)

One year on, Raffa impressed with composed Di Canio

6:00am Saturday 21st July 2012 in Headlines By Sam Morshead

PAOLO Di Canio is a changed manager compared to 12 months ago, according to Raffa De Vita.

De Vita said that the Swindon boss, who is targeting two promotions in as many seasons when he leads Town in League One next term, has mellowed a little during his first year in charge at the County Ground .

And while last pre-season was a manic mix of trialists and tinkering, this year De Vita has seen a more composed Di Canio running the Robins’ ship.

“For me personally, I don’t know if other people have seen it, it’s totally different,” he said.

“The gaffer last year was kind of a different person. He was a bit stressed about the people he had to bring in, he didn’t know anyone, we had so many trialists and I used to wake up with butterflies in my stomach because I knew it was going to be another hard day in training.

“This year everything is more relaxed and I think he’s got the right players in, they’re all brilliant signings and I think he’s a bit more relaxed.

“I enjoyed Italy, even though it was hard, and we’re enjoying the work at Liddington now.”

Although, by his own admission, De Vita sees himself as a centre-forward, he has been used persistently by Di Canio on the right of midfield.

And while he has not given up of earning himself a place up front, the former Livingston man is simply happy to be involved with a club seemingly on the up.

“Since I was moved to the right I’ve been trying to do my best and I just hope the gaffer notices what I’m trying to do,” he said.

“If I can do well, eventually I will get the chance. If I don’t do well, it’s down to me.

“I see myself as a striker but I don’t think the gaffer sees me as a striker.”

Town face Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday in their second friendly game on English soil this summer, and De Vita cannot wait for some more match action.

The 24-year-old has been in good form during pre-season, scoring against both a select XI out in Italy and Weston-super-Mare on Tuesday night, and he is pushing for a place in Di Canio’s starting line-up come the clash with Brighton in the Capital One Cup on August 14.

“We can run as much as possible in training but you want to play games,” he said.

“I feel alright. The runs that we do with the gaffer benefit me. Usually I’m not up there with the fastest and the those with the best resistance but I’m coping well and I’m trying to do my best.”