Pair Leave For Pastures New

Here I go again, writing about the exits of even more players. The departure of Lescinel Jean-Francios had been expected and we were all just waiting for him to sign on the dotted line. The same cannot be said for striker Elliot Benyon who arrived at SN1 just six months earlier.



Benyon signing for Wycombe

The departure of Elliot Benyon has been the most surprising departure of the Summer. Having only joined in January from Torquay United, he has now been loaned out to Wycombe Wanderers for the duration of the 2011/12 season. He appeared not to settle in fully due to the combination of injury problems and being played as a lone striker.

Although it is clear to see for any Swindon fan that he had a proven record at this level so for Benyon to be able to leave just seems ludicrous. With only Billy Bodin and Jordan Pavett

left as our strikers, I can only hope that Paolo Di Canio has a few aces up his sleeves and strikers will be joining Swindon this week.

I doubt any of us supporters will ever know if the striker jumped or was pushed out of the County Ground by management. Perhaps the opportunity to play from his hometown club coupled with the prospect of playing in League One was too tempting. Or Paolo Di Canio wants to put his stamp on the squad and will make additions suited to his style.

Elsewhere, Lescinel Jean-Francios has linked up with old boss Danny Wilson at Bramall Lane having been out of contract at the County Ground. The defender was reported to have been offered a new contract but has instead decided to take up the option to join Sheffield United.

The Revolving Door

No sooner than I was writing about our first signings am I discussing the departures of two players with another pair likely to be following them out of the County Ground. Striker Vincent Pericard and keeper Jakub Jesionkowski have left Swindon Town. Jon-Paul McGovern and Lecsinel Jean-Francios also look set to be heading for the exit doors.

Neither Vincent Pericard or Jakub Jesionkowski were offered the chance to re-new their contracts at SN1. Town fans had high hopes when the ex-Juventus player was brought to the County Ground in January 2010. However it took until the following season for him to score; scoring a brace in the Football League Trophy. Those goals didn't prompt a surge of goals and he finished the season with only six goals. Pericard also suffered poor fitness, meaning his last game in a Town shirt came against Yeovil in January. The poor form coupled with his fitness troubles meant his exit was almost inevitable.

Keeper Jakub Jesionkowski has also left Swindon without making a competitive appearance in his two seasons at the County Ground. It makes sense to get rid of another body in this case as the Pole would have been behind David Lucas, Phil Smith and Mark Scott in the pecking order. I personally never saw him play, although speaking to fans that had, the strong opinion that came through was that he wasn't good enough for League football.

 

Jon-Paul McGovern looks all set to return to Sheffield, this time with United having been at Wednesday between 2004 and 2006. The Scot also had a loan spell with the Blades back in 2002-03 season. McGovern was excellent at right wing in our play-off season topping the assist table with no less than 16. Although like many, he struggled last season and was moved from his best position into central midfield and playing behind the striker at times. His poor performances led to Paul Caddis being favoured in right midfield. Having seen Town drop down to League Two, the chance to play at League One and play under Danny Wilson will surely prove too tempting.

Jean-Francios appears to be on his way out with strong suggestions he has rejected a new contract. The defender definitely splits Swindon fans into two camps; I am in the 'rate him' camp. I love a footballing centre half who doesn't hoof it out at any given opportunity. That said he is still inconsistent and prone to an error so see the Haiti international as a loss but not irreplaceable. Rumours are that he will link up with McGovern and Danny Wilson at Bramall Lane although only time will tell.

The exit doors at the County Ground have been in more frequent use than the arrival door which does make the squad rather depleted. A degree of urgency is required to change however I feel confident Di Canio and Co are working hard to get the right players in.