Miller bids to get back in the goals (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Miller bids to get back in the goals

6:00am Thursday 28th June 2012 in News By Andy Warren

TOMMY Miller is hoping his move to Swindon Town will help him find the goalscoring touch once again.

The midfielder enjoyed a prolific start to his career as he fired 80 goals in 301 games for Hartlepool and Ipswich, before things dried up following a move to the Premier League with Sunderland in 2005.

The 33-year-old found the net three times during his two-year stay on Wearside, and in the five seasons since only managed to score 25 times in 171 appearances before joining Swindon from Huddersfield this summer.

During his time at the Galpharm Stadium, Miller performed more of a subdued role under former manager Lee Clark, but is hopeful he can get back to his goalscoring best under new boss Paolo Di Canio.

“I have played over 500 games and in that time and scored over 100 goals, although in the last few years maybe the goals have dried up a little bit,” he said.

“I tend to be a bit deeper now and I like to get the ball and start things off, but I am not too bothered where I play.

“But I do like to get forward, although when I went to Huddersfield Lee Clark asked both of the central midfielders to sit and not get forward too much.

“We were a very attack minded team with Gary Roberts and Danny Ward on the wings and then two lads up front, so it was a case of us just sitting there.

“It will be interesting to see what Paolo wants us to do.

“I would love to be able to get forward more and score a few goals, but I am quite happy to sit back if it is needed.”

Miller was greeted by a number of familiar faces as he trained with his new team-mates for the first time yesterday, most notably fellow new signing Gary Roberts.

“I know Gary well having played with him at Ipswich and then Huddersfield, so it is good to see a familiar face,” Miller said.

“We like playing together and are good friends off it, so I am sure we will do well here.

“I know a few others too, because Alan Connell was a young lad when I was at Ipswich the first time, and Alan McCormack was at Preston when I went there on loan for a brief spell.”

Di Canio on Miller: "He's a fantastic quality player for this league. Obviously he’s got a great past and he’s played to the top level.

"He’s the kind of professional that always tries to push hard to take his place and give the quality to the team.

"If you ask me ‘why at 33?’ I have said in the past I have always wanted to have a player with his eye because if I discover a 33-year-old, fully-fit, with desire, with professionalism inside himself - he is absolutely welcome."