New faces flooding in (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

New faces flooding in

3:24pm Thursday 29th June 2006 in

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DENNIS Wise met his players for the first time on Monday as Town's young squad checked in for pre-season training.

The new manager, who replaced Iffy Onuora last month, invited at least six triallists, including two goalkeepers, to join the remaining members of the squad relegated from League One last term.

Defender Jamie Vincent, 30, has agreed a one-year deal and is Wise's second signing following the arrival of midfield powerhouse Andy Monkhouse from Rotherham.

A deal for Cambridge United striker Folawiyo Onibujie is also pending as the former Chelsea man starts to impose himself on the County Ground.

Wise said: "Jamie is a very good left back and has a lot of experience, a lovely left foot as well. It's nice to have him on board.

"I'm hoping to get a couple more in over the next couple of weeks. We've got a young group here and we just need to add a few more experienced players. That will help them.

"Looking at it the majority of the squad is probably under 22. It isn't a bad thing but it isn't a fantastic thing either. New faces give you a buzz and you need competition for places.

"My intention is to create that competition. What division you're in sometimes doesn't help but I'm sure we'll get some more in."

Former Millwall and Yeovil left back Vincent is relishing the chance to work under experienced internationals Wise and his assistant Gus Poyet, and is determined to make an impact in Swindon.

He said: "It's a journey for all of us, an education. You learn every day in football, there's never a moment where you stop learning."

"Dennis is a big name so it wasn't too hard to put pen to paper."

Both Wise and Poyet are registered to play in League Two, but the boss made his preference clear.

He said: "I don't want to pick myself in an ideal world and I don't want to pick Gus.

"We need to see how it goes and to see how these lads perform. If they're doing well and winning games, it just flows, it's an easy job then. It's when we start losing it becomes difficult."