This summer has seen Swindon strengthen central midfield with the signings of Jonathan Smith and Oliver Risser. Alan McCormack is also poised to leave Charlton to sign for Swindon. These arrivals have prompted me to ask what does the future hold for Simon Ferry.
The midfielder initially signed on loan during 2009-10 season and formed a solid partnership with Jonathan Douglas in the middle of the park. He performed superbly throughout the season; most notably in the play-off game at home assisting Danny Ward with a brilliant sprint up field.
Delight spread around the County Ground when Ferry joined permanently alongside Paul Caddis from Celtic last summer. However, it was fairly short lived as he was largely overlooked with David Prutton and Jonathan Douglas preferred.
One game to particularly forget for the Scot was away to Bristol Rovers; the poorest I have ever seen Ferry play with wayward passes and poor work in the tackle. Following that game he was frozen out of the first team until he made a substitute performance a month later.
Like many of his team mates Ferry was very unfit and quite frankly rather on the chubby side. I'm not talking Rik Waller but nonetheless completely unacceptable for a professional footballer. He did however, look much slimmer when I watched him against Supermarine.
Oliver Risser has been named as captain which almost gives him a guarenteed starting place in midfield. Jonathan Smith has started all three games during pre-season whilst Ferry has started just one. Michael Timlin only renewed his contract this summer so his departure is very unlikely.
The arrival of Alan McCormack is likely to push the former Celtic player further down the pecking order. He has also signalled his intent that he wants to be playing regularly after failing to do so last season.
I have seen very little of any of the midfield trio we have signed so it is difficult to compare their ability to that of Ferry. Although in my view, he is good enough for League One so would love to see him stay at SN1.
Paolo Di Canio has stressed many a time the importance of impeccable fitness and commitment. I would think by losing the excess weight that Ferry has clearly been working hard in training in a bid to rejuvenate his falling Swindon Town career.
Seeing as he is my favourite Town player, I obviously want him to stay and think he would be a fantastic player if given a chance once more. But like others that have jumped ship this summer, if Ferry doesn't want to be here then we can leave. The club only needs players who are happy to be here and give their all every single game.
