Garner: Some players will hate me this season

SWINDON TOWN Head Coach, Ben Garner has emphasised that no player will be guaranteed a start in his team this season, admitting that certain players will ‘hate’ him as he attempts to build a squad that will help stabilise the club and push for League Two promotion. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker spoke to the STFC boss earlier this week.

Having picked up four points from their opening three games this season, Ben Garner has been one of the leagues busiest men with new signings arriving at the County Ground on a weekly basis. 

However, despite recent high-profile additions including the likes of Welsh International Jonny Williams, Garner has insisted that players will have to fight for their place as he aims to build a versatile attacking force.

“I think we have a really nice balance in forward areas and what we have done is tried to sign players with versatility,” said Garner.

“Williams can play in several positions, Harry McKirdy can play in several positions, Jack Payne can, and we want that versatility where we can change people.

“We want that competition throughout the squad and there is no player here that will be guaranteed a starting place.

"It’s going to be based on attitude, performances in training, and what they are doing on the pitch,” he added.

“We want that competition but we want it to be a close-knit group where everyone is part of that process.

“From my point of view it’s always difficult [if you aren’t picked].

“We want everyone to feel apart of it all the time but there are going to be times when players hate me this season because they won’t get picked or will be taken off but that’s football.

“The important thing is they understand it’s always about the collective and it’s always about Swindon Town as a football club.

“Nothing is ever personal but within that process we will develop players, improve players and that is part of our identity,” said Garner.

The new Swindon Head Coach has given himself a selection headache with the arrival of new players, however, Garner and his assistants are working hard to develop an ‘ace in his pack’ targeting academy product Harry Parsons with having a big season.

“I’ve got two great assistants in Scott Lindsey and Scott Marshall who are great developers of players as well and we want to push these players,” he said.

“We want an ace in the pack that develops this season, who surpasses our expectations and really kicks on and forces their way into the team.

"Harry Parsons has done great and shown he can play in League Two comfortably and we want that opportunity for young players.

“We also want to develop the older players. Anthony Grant is someone we can still improve, we can educate him on the game and make things better.

“It’s a collective process but we want to improve every person in the building,” said Garner.