Transfer Window: Youth or experience for Wellens and STFC?

Swindon Town have undergone a massive change in recruitment during Lee Powers current six-year stint at the club with the transfer policy frequently changing from an influx of loan signings to spending big on unproven players. But as the new season edges nearer, Total Sport Swindon’s Rajan Hothi analyses whether Richie Wellens should be favouring experience or youth this transfer window as Swindon look to push for promotion?

After two uninspiring seasons in League Two, the upcoming 19/20 campaign will be crucial for Richie Wellens as the STFC manager looks to spearhead Swindon’s charge back to League One. However, in order to do this, he will have to get the recruitment right at SN1 - something his predecessors weren’t able to do. 

Former manager David Flitcroft very much favoured experience with Chris Robertson, Ben Purkiss, Matt Taylor and Marc Richards all signing for Town whilst being above the age of 30. And while the signings were initially seen as a breath of fresh air following years of recruiting inexperienced youth players, Swindon were hardly setting the division alight with fans left far from happy with the traditional style of football on show.  

This summer window, however, has seen a switch in transfer strategy with Wellens appearing to target youth and potential as the 39-year-old attempts to get as much as possible out of the limited transfer budget available. 

Swindon have moved quickly in the transfer window so far with the recent acquisitions of Tyler Reid and Adam May, 21 and 20 years old respectively, demonstrating the faith that Wellens has in younger players despite recent rumours suggest that more experienced heads could be coming through the door at the County Ground. 

Having a very youthful side comes with its dangers however and you only have to look at Swindon’s disastrous 16/17 season in which the club were relegated to League Two. 

At the time, Luke Williams had built one of the youngest sides in not only League One but the whole of the English Football League, but things didn’t go to plan with the incoming youth resulting in a lot of naivety within the squad as Town eventually succumbed to relegation all too easily as Williams was eventually sacked. 

For Wellens and Paul Jewell, it will be all about getting the correct balance of experience and youth which has proved to be an issue for the Reds in recent seasons, with last season perhaps epitomising just how detrimental an imbalance in recruitment can be after Phil Brown was relieved of his duty with Town left sitting in 18th spot of the League Two table.

Wellens has asked to be judged after he’s had time to put together his own side, but previous managerial stints have proved that promotion will not be plausible with a team of has-beens and the Phil Brown era showcased this.

Last seasons champions Lincoln City highlighted how finding the correct balance between experience and youth is crucial to domestic success and now Swindon must replicate similar transfer business this window if the robins are to secure promotion back to League One. 

Lincoln had seasoned professionals such as Jason Shackell, Matt Rhead and Michael Bostwick alongside younger players like Harry Anderson and former Town loanee Harry Toffolo who were all integral members of the Lincoln squad that ran riot in League Two. 

There is a growing sense that this season will be make-or-break for Swindon as the Robins desperately go on the hunt for promotion from League Two at the third time of asking. Years of failure in the transfer market leaves Wellens knowing that he must find the correct balance in the squad to achieve promotion, and he will be keen not to make the same mistakes that those before him have committed. 

A positive campaign will start with good recruitment and the club must now back Wellens in this window if he is to take the club forward. This will be Wellens' first big transfer window with Swindon and fans will be eager to see the right players come through the door at SN1.