Swindon Town will be hoping for a strong summer transfer window to continue their upward trajectory in League Two next season.
The Robins took the decision to sack head coach Mark Kennedy in late October, having only spent five months in the job at The Nigel Eady County Ground.
Kennedy was swiftly replaced by Ian Holloway, with the 62-year-old taking his first managerial role in almost four years, having left Grimsby Town in December 2020.
Under Holloway’s stewardship, the club would end up recording a 12th-placed finish in League Two this past season, which was a notable improvement upon their 19th-placed finish in 2023/24.
“Fantastic” – Swindon Town urged to retain the services of Robins talisman
We asked our Swindon Town fan pundit, Ciaran Daniel: ‘Which one Swindon player do you really not want to lose this summer and why?’
Ciaran said: “One player I do not want to lose, and we simply cannot lose, is Harry Smith.
“Top goalscorer, has scored most of our goals this season, but he’s also very versatile. He’s even played at centre-back this season.
“But I think any team that loses their top goalscorer struggles a little bit the next year after, because the striker coming in has some very big boots to fill. He’s simply a player that shouldn’t be sold at any cost.
“I’d even say if you had a £1m offer come in for him, even though he’s not worth anywhere near that, to try and replace him is going to be difficult. He’s just an absolute unit, and a perfect League Two striker.
“He’s the epitome of a League Two striker: big, powerful, but he’s not just there for a header or off-the-ground finish. If you look at the goal against Bradford that he scored on the volley, in the box – he can get into some really good positions for someone that’s so tall.
“You don’t normally see that, but he doesn’t get intimidated by centre-halves. If he does, it’s in very few games. He has got a hot-head, but you can also use that to your advantage. He’s got that passion.
“He does pick up a few yellows, but he’s only picked up one red card this year, considering at one point it looked like he’d pick up a red card every time he was on the pitch.
“Holloway’s managed to get it out of him that he doesn’t do completely stupid things and get sent off. But all season, he’s just been fantastic. He can really kick on next year, I think.”
“Without a doubt” – Harry Smith League Two goalscoring claim made for Swindon Town talisman
Having spent a brief period of time on loan with Swindon Town in 2017 during the infancy of his senior career, Smith put pen to paper on a permanent contract with the club last summer.
It’s proven to be an inspired addition to the Robins’ squad too, with the 29-year-old bagging 17 goals and six assists in all competitions this past season.
As such, Ciaran has made a bold claim on the sort of season Smith might have next term, should he remain at The County Ground.
“I’d put him up that he’s going to be the League Two top goalscorer next year. Without a doubt. He is fantastic, and he simply cannot be sold. He’s probably our most valuable player.
Smith’s 24/25 League Two stats – per FotMob
Appearances
Goals
Assists
Goals per 90
39
15
3
0.42
“The next closest would probably be Will Wright at centre-back, but I think Harry Smith pips it. He would be very hard to replace, and I think clubs will be after him.
“He’s someone that could play for quite a while yet. He doesn’t really get injured, touch wood, but he’s simply a player we cannot lose. Losing your top goalscorer in any season is always a big blow, and it’s always tough for anyone coming in to fill that.
“I don’t think we will (lose Smith). I think we’ll give him a longer contract by the sounds of it, so that’s a really positive thing for the club to do. Even though he’s got another year left, tie him down for another year or two and really let him settle.”
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