Communication is key as Holloway looks to build team ethos at Swindon Town

Ian Holloway insisted the art of communication would be key as he looks to build a successful Swindon Town squad.

The 62-year-old returned to management last October when he took over from sacked Mark Kennedy at the Nigel Eady County Ground.

Having steered Town away from relegation trouble, Holloway guided the club to a 12th-placed finish in his first managerial job in four years.

Asked for the biggest lesson he had learned since returning to the dugout, Holloway said: “Rather than sending them a text, which they would probably be used to, or an email, the art of talking and communication.

“The true art of that and telling them how you really feel is very different.

“Will I change that much? Yes, I have got to adapt, but the messages underneath and the standards that I want will not change.

“I think that we have waned away to being soft, making people think that they have got everything already, and the values that they do need to show to be part of a team, I am not sure are out there.

“We are going to create that here ourselves, like we have done with these people and with whoever else I bring in.”

Town are set to build a new-look squad this summer after he club confirmed eight players were set to be released following the expiration of their contracts.

(Picture: Swindon Town FC YouTube Channel)