IN life, there are certain events people get excited about – birthdays, holidays, weddings, etc.

For me, it’s the start of a new football season.

After enduring three months without ‘the beautiful game’, it’s back, and so is everything that comes with supporting your team.

As a Swindon Town fan, that encompasses a wide range of emotions – and I envisage that this season will be no different.

At the time of writing, Town fans are still waiting for the red smoke to appear out of the top of the Arkells Stand to announce the appointment of a new manager.

Last weekend, Exeter City boss Paul Tisdale looked odds-on to take over but, as time has passed, any hope of his appointment has faded away.

Personally I would love Tisdale, but I’m not optimistic that’ll happen.

Glenn Hoddle would also be great but, once again, it’s doubtful.

I hope Town go down the route they have repeatedly taken over the past 30 years and appoint a young, ambitious name from the game who wants to make it as a manager.

But, with no appointment expected this week, Mark Cooper will be in caretaker charge of this weekend’s opening Skybet League One game at Peterborough United.

With the new season now just two days away, let’s take a look at the players who will play a huge part in shaping the coming season.

All six of the Tottenham Hotspur players who have signed for Town over the summer are expected to play a key role this season – but a couple have already shone during pre-season.

England U20 international Alex Pritchard has been one of the standout performers, and arrives in Swindon to supporters’ high hopes.

Pritchard was wanted by Peterborough on loan after his successful spell their last season, but Tottenham decided to send Alex to Town, a decision that will be a big one come the end of the season.

But my favourite signing so far this summer has been the return of midfielder Massimo Luongo.

When Luongo turned up at Town last season he made an instant impact and looked a class above.

I predict we’ll see the same again this season, he’s easily a Championship midfielder, a great signing.

On the youth side, striker Miles Storey needs to be given the chance this season to show what he could offer Town.

After only seeing a glimpse of his potential last season, I’m expecting big things from the England U19 international.

At this moment in time, predicting how Town will fare this season is incredibly difficult, without a manager and with new players still to be signed.

A play-off place isn’t looking as likely as last summer, after such a huge turnover at the club overall, but our current set of players should be nowhere near the relegation places.

Our season all rests on stability from top to bottom at the club, and the right managerial appointment.

If we can achieve both these factors the sky’s the limit this season.

But, as we know with Swindon Town, we have to expect the unexpected.

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