Promotion the aim for Lancashire & Co

OLLY LANCASHIRE insists Swindon Town have to be aiming for promotion this coming season after narrowly missing out on the playoffs in their last campaign. TotalSport Swindon’s Ryan Walker spoke to the Town Captain ahead of the new season.

Missing out on last season’s playoffs caused agony for fans as Swindon Town missed out on the chance to bounce back to League One at the first attempt. And Lancashire says Swindon will aim for the playoffs once again.

“It was disappointing to miss out on the playoffs last year after being in those positions for most of the season,” said Lancashire. 

“Like many teams in this league we come back this season with the aim of getting promoted.

“It’s going to be difficult but all the lads are up to it,” he added.

A new season brings new challenges, but with manager Phil Brown having a pre-season of his own to get his players ready, Lancashire admits he expects big things from Swindon this upcoming campaign.

“The gaffer and his new assistant both have Premier League experience and we have to trust their ideas and style of play,” said Lancashire.

“It’s definitely exciting times for the club.

“The break is really important for all the boys, especially after such a long season with so many games.

“Everyone needed a rest both physically and mentally in order to be ready to go again this season,” he added.

And when questioned on his thoughts of a STFC cup run, the skipper highlighted his desire to make it to the third round of the FA Cup.

“A cup run would be brilliant, especially in one of the big ones such as the FA Cup,” said Lancashire.

“We want to make sure we at least get to the third round in that tournament and meet one of the big boys.”

Now in his second season at the League Two side, his ability to take control as Captain is a key factor of his game, but the 29-year-old says “There is more than one leader on the pitch.”

“The captaincy and the duties involved comes quite naturally to me,” he said.

“They are a good bunch of lads to look after and it’s something that I enjoy.

“There are quite a few guys in the team who also help with that role as well and it’s good to have a few different leaders on the pitch,” he added.