IT IS amazing how the arrival of one player can so dramatically lift the mood at a football club.

Even after the sterling display by a team mostly made of Swindon Town’s back-ups and best options saw them through to the next round of the Football League Trophy on Tuesday at Newport, the spirit was not high.

My immediate judgement on Town’s transfer window was one of condemnation. All the stars had gone and been replaced by talented, yet unproven, new faces or just not replaced at all.

The sale of Michael Smith, at that time the club’s only recognised and available striker, en route to Newport added to the air of farce.

On the road back from Wales, one feared the worst for the team’s prospects.

Like many, the next morning’s news of Nicky Ajose’s stunning return to the County Ground came as a genuine shock.

On deadline day, there was nothing to indicate Leeds’ softening on their position of wanting a degree of compensation for his services, yet here he was being pictured at the County Ground, scarf aloft, new three-year deal in hand.

I have been critical of Lee Power for many things, but I have never doubted his ability to drive through a good transfer deal. However, this surpassed expectations.

Suddenly, Wes Thomas is no longer the sole hope, but a supplementary striker to a main man capable of scoring every other game. Town have six strong options fighting for three positions up front. From toothless to gnarled in 24 hours.

All of a sudden, a look through the players departed and the ones who had arrived revealed almost like-for-like in every position. Judgements will come on whether Jordan Williams can fill Jack Stephens’ void, Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill can rival Harry Toffolo for affection and Kevin Stewart can pick up the pieces left by Louis Thompson’s departure.

For some reason, the arrival of Ajose makes it feel more likely that they can.

In a summer where Swindon Town have drifted aimlessly in a sea of PR gaffes, the arrival of one man has restored a sense of optimism amongst the doubters, myself included.

Ajose is one the fans wanted and the chairman has delivered. I bet a few more might consider making the trip to Gresty Road now.