Di Canio the main reason for Collins' Town switch (From This Is Swindon Town FC)
Get involved! Send photos, video, news & views. Text SWINDON NEWS to 80360 or email us
Di Canio the main reason for Collins' Town switch
6:00am Wednesday 20th June 2012 in Sport By Sam Morshead
Collins admires Di Canio
JAMES Collins has admitted that Paolo Di Canio was the primary reason behind his decision to swap Shrewsbury for Swindon this summer.
The 21-year-old was officially announced as a Town player on Monday after turning down the offer of a new contract at the Greenhous Meadow, and he revealed that he has been impressed by Robins boss Di Canio since the moment the two first met after Swindon’s 2-1 victory over his former club in November.
Seven months down the line, despite Shrewsbury also securing promotion to League One for next term, Collins chose to move to Wiltshire and he stressed that the charismatic and entertainingly unpredictable Di Canio was a major draw.
“When I spoke to Swindon I was impressed with the ambition of the club and with Di Canio,” he said. “The gaffer is the main factor. He played in the same position as me and is passionate about what he wants and so am I.
“He came up to me after the game at Swindon last season and gave me a hug and said he liked me as a player.
“I thought Shrewsbury were a bit unlucky to lose at Swindon that night but the atmosphere at the County Ground was brilliant and once they got on top the fans were brilliant.
“I look up to Paolo and he played in my position. I spoke to a few of the lads who had been here last season and they all said it was a good club to be at.
“Paolo does a lot of work with the strikers and will do separate sessions with them after training and I think he can improve my game.”
Collins thanked former boss Graham Turner, who handed him his chance in the professional game and gave him the platform to announce himself in the Football League with 16 goals for his old club last season.
But he is now ready for a new challenge.
“The gaffer at Shrewsbury gave me a chance to make a name for myself which led to bigger things with Swindon Town,” he said.
“I had a great time at Shrewsbury but felt the time was right to move on.”
Meanwhile, Alan Navarro could become a Town player later this week.
The Robins’ transfer target took to Twitter yesterday to announce that he will undergo a medical at an unnamed club, which is believed to be Swindon, on Thursday.
He wrote: “Last day of hols with the family, goin 2 do my medical at my new club on thurs, can't say who till then, #excitingtimes.”
Comments(22)
old town robin
says...
7:49am Wed 20 Jun 12
London Red
says...
8:20am Wed 20 Jun 12
.
Navarro is exactly what we need - steel and guts - let Ferry do the playmaking
.
Break it up and knock it only a few yards to Ferry to work his magic - simple
.
Fodders
Caddis Flint Macca McEveley
Ritchie Ferry Navarro Roberts
Benson Willams
.
With bench including Devera Risser Rooney and Collins
.
I'm happy with that - yet more still to come!
Stratton Red
says...
8:34am Wed 20 Jun 12
London Red wrote:That certainly is a strong line up, although I suspect Benson might be our new impact sub...
Probably away on holiday - that's why Navarro has not signed yet . Navarro is exactly what we need - steel and guts - let Ferry do the playmaking . Break it up and knock it only a few yards to Ferry to work his magic - simple . Fodders Caddis Flint Macca McEveley Ritchie Ferry Navarro Roberts Benson Willams . With bench including Devera Risser Rooney and Collins . I'm happy with that - yet more still to come!
DaniooolCOYR
says...
8:59am Wed 20 Jun 12
London Red
says...
9:01am Wed 20 Jun 12
.
He describes himself as a physical player who can hold his own against anyone in the league (like the confidence!)
.
So can see him being phased in over the season as we saw last year Benson needs rest periods
.
So I personally still see Benson playig a big role in 2012 at least
London Red
says...
9:05am Wed 20 Jun 12
.
Good way to spot future STFC players - see which opposition PdC seeks out to have a word with!
TerryHubbard
says...
9:42am Wed 20 Jun 12
http://www.northstan
dchat.com/showthread
.php?245879-Alan-Nav
arro/page2&highlight
=navarro
akershaker
says...
10:09am Wed 20 Jun 12
hertz
says...
11:59am Wed 20 Jun 12
Swindon1984
says...
12:18pm Wed 20 Jun 12
London Red wrote:Exactly what I was thinking when reading the article, will be interesting in some of these games to see who Paolo takes to one side.
Also see PdC did his old trick of tapping them up on the pitch . Good way to spot future STFC players - see which opposition PdC seeks out to have a word with!
Also have to say Hertz, I don't think anyone permanently lost a place under PDC for an isolated mistake, you're pushing the point a bit there.
London Red
says...
12:25pm Wed 20 Jun 12
.
He was hauled off after 20 mins at Colchester but then was back in for Rovers a few weeks later - to be hauled off early again
.
More importantly it was attitude and application in training why he lost his spot - but not following team orders more than once did contribute
.
Connell is perfect example that it does NOT happen - he was hauled off early lots for misses etc - but was always back in the matchday squad afterwards
dreamofacleansheet2
says...
12:42pm Wed 20 Jun 12
I don't think England will beat Italy but they have a chance playing as a team. Yes a bit of luck and we weren't great last night but you've got to give credit to Hodgson for playing system that suits us best.
Also I've and issue with your continued selection of Flint ahead of Devera!! It's not that clear cut for me, Devera was excellent at the end of last season.
Anyway all looking good...
Swindon1984
says...
1:37pm Wed 20 Jun 12
dreamofacleansheet2 wrote:This was my issue with Hertz' comment, it's not so much making an error on the pitch that will get you in Paolo's good books, but attitude and commitment, the lack thereof, will. Knuckle down and apply yourself and you'll do alright under Paolo (e.g. DeVita, Risser, Devera).
London you talk a lot of sense but your Medhi comment is contradictory. It's well documented that Paolo won't pick a player if he doesn't train well. MK must have trained well to get in the team? It had everything to do with him not following team orders. I'm with Paolo, the team is always more important than the individual. I don't think England will beat Italy but they have a chance playing as a team. Yes a bit of luck and we weren't great last night but you've got to give credit to Hodgson for playing system that suits us best. Also I've and issue with your continued selection of Flint ahead of Devera!! It's not that clear cut for me, Devera was excellent at the end of last season. Anyway all looking good...
London Red
says...
1:44pm Wed 20 Jun 12
.
PdC made reference to Connell saying after he was hauled off against Saints his reaction in training showed what a professional he was
.
He also said that when not in the side Connell would ask for extra secessions to keep sharp
.
That certainly was not the case for Kerrouche - as PdC said his fitness deteriated to that of an old lady!
.
Yes he may have trained at the start - but after being hauled off and dressed down in Nov/Dec - he obviously didn't react the right way - thus was frozen out due to attitude and application
.
Either way it was not one isolated incident like a poor miss that lost him his place
.
PdC may well go with Devera - if he does that is fine with me - I think Devera is good
.
However, Flint was the top choice alongside Macca last year and will probably be so again this year - to start with at least
TheDukeOfBanbury
says...
2:33pm Wed 20 Jun 12
I like this lad already.
Welcome to "Hell" for all away sides.
hertz
says...
3:24pm Wed 20 Jun 12
I did hear on radio this morning that Rooney is being tested for using what could be classified as a performance enhancing rug :0)
London Red
says...
3:40pm Wed 20 Jun 12
.
PdC has been proven right in more cases than wrong when he has made changes as quite often the sub goes on to score the winner
.
Prime example Murray came on and opened the scoring against Burton in under 2 mins - just after Connell had missed a good opportunity and was subbed for him
.
When we we run away title winners with 95 points and beaten cup finalists - don't think you can really question PdC's tactics and decisions
Swindon1984
says...
4:35pm Wed 20 Jun 12
London Red
says...
5:55pm Wed 20 Jun 12
.
I rated Kennedy - but wouldn't have him in ahead of Jay
.
Glad he got a decent club and hope he gets a good reception when he returns
TheDukeOfBanbury
says...
8:36pm Wed 20 Jun 12
London Red wrote:Yes agree with you LR.
McEveley must be coming in to see Kennedy released . I rated Kennedy - but wouldn't have him in ahead of Jay . Glad he got a decent club and hope he gets a good reception when he returns
Ridehalgh was the best left back we had this season until McEveley stepped up after the Wembley appearance.
Both Cibb's and Kennedy have done OK though.
Regarding the reception comment totally with you.
old town robin
says...
11:15pm Wed 20 Jun 12
London Red wrote:Risser is no where near good enough even for the bench, both Jon Smith and Lee Cox are better than him, but probably won't be in contention for a place. I do agree with you he will still be here because Paolo likes how he puts in the effort in training. I don't agree with this train of thought, (excuse the pun) it's what a player does on the pitch that counts, and quite frankly IMO he's a liability to the rest of the team most of the time, it was like playing with 10 men because he is such a poor player and I don't see him performing any better at div 1 level.
Probably away on holiday - that's why Navarro has not signed yet
.
Navarro is exactly what we need - steel and guts - let Ferry do the playmaking
.
Break it up and knock it only a few yards to Ferry to work his magic - simple
.
Fodders
Caddis Flint Macca McEveley
Ritchie Ferry Navarro Roberts
Benson Willams
.
With bench including Devera Risser Rooney and Collins
.
I'm happy with that - yet more still to come!
matt69andover says...
6:34am Wed 20 Jun 12