Town Head Coach Luke Williams has revealed that the Reds' four new signings this week have given the whole club a massive lift.
Ben Gladwin returned to SN1 on loan from QPR for a third spell on Tuesday, before Charlie Colkett, Fankaty Dabo and Islam Feruz all arrived from Premier League leaders Chelsea the following day until the end of the season.
And Williams, who was able to work with the new recruits in training for the first time earlier today, feels the quartet’s arrival has helped to create a buzz around The County Ground.
“A lot of the boys know Ben (Gladwin) well and what qualities he brings and of course any player that is coming from a club like Chelsea you know that they’ve got talent, so we’re really excited to have them here,” he told swindontownfc.co.uk.
“We’re so pleased that Chelsea have chosen us to nurture their young talent.
“Charlie (Colkett) has of course got experience of the league and I’m sure the other two boys are going to be up to speed very, very quickly, but I expect them all to bring a level of quality and I expect them to bring energy and enthusiasm to the side as well.
“Everyone knows that with the window being open and new players coming in competition for places is a reality and everyone now is on form in training, there is a buzz around the place and people are trying to stake a claim for a shirt.”
Williams then proceeded to give his thoughts on each of his three new recruits from Chelsea.
“Charlie is a real talented player that can handle the ball and can find people. He’s got real vision and he’s got a real range of passing – he’s very talented,” he added.
“We’re really pleased that Chelsea have chosen us to be the team that Charlie progresses with and gets more experience with.
“He’s not going to be scared to have the ball and he won’t go hiding. He will want to be a game-changer and he wants to pick passes and create things, so we’re looking forward to that.
“Fankaty has got pace, power and he’s been exposed to plenty already in his career and he’s played with and against some very good players.
“He won’t be fazed by playing in League One and I think people will struggle to run beyond him and I think people will struggle to keep up with him.
“He won’t mind jumping for the big header in League One and roughing it with some experienced and burly lads, so he’s got a lot to offer.
“We watched Islam Feruz today in training and he’s lightning quick and no one will want to defend against that raw pace.
“He will be looking to get behind people all the time and then when the ball arrives at his feet he’s not scared to have it, he’ll go for the throat at the right time and he’ll be able to hold the ball up and bring people in at the right time.
“He’s a real threat and defenders will have to be awake when playing against him.”
Finally, Williams is expecting his three latest recruits to come in and all hit the ground running, starting with Saturday’s trip to Bolton Wanderers.
“They need to hit the ground running and this environment is unforgiving and there is very, very little time – patience is gone in football,” he continued.
“We as staff and the other players will support them and give them the reassurance that they need if things don’t go perfectly well, but the fans and media won’t and they have to accept that.
“We will be doing everything we can to make sure they are ready and are successful from the off.”
