Swindon Town’s early and purposeful start to the January transfer window is another sign of Ian Holloway’s positive influence over the club.

Within four days of the opening of the window, Town had added Michael Olakigbe from Brentford, borrowed Aidan Borland from Aston Villa, and handed a long-term contract extension to one of their best players in Gavin Kilkenny. It was almost disconcertingly swift and intelligent business from a club that has traded in neither of those things for a very long time.

Swindon’s planning for this window became serious in October, as those at the club sat down to discuss all eventualities and agreed on what they were looking for. Even that is unusually competent behaviour, but most of the work pre-dates even that, with Swindon having discussed a new deal with Kilkenny for some time, and both signings having been on long-term lists. Since successfully navigating the make-or-break first window last January, Holloway has brought as great a focus to what happens........

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