Swindon Town are left with a small group of attackers heading into next season, so which players should they sign to bolster their forward line?

At the moment Swindon have three forward players, all of whom fit nicely within Mark Kennedy’s structure, with Paul Glatzel and Sean McGurk being comfortable playing as attacking midfielder-winger hybrids and Aaron Drinan as a selfless striker who is capable of chipping in with goals too. In Glatzel and McGurk, Swindon have players with the mercurial quality to produce the moments of magic you need at this level, although their consistency is yet to be proven. The forwards currently at the County Ground are good, but significantly more depth is required. Attack is where the money needs to be spent and I would expect Jamie Russell to be looking for at least two wingers and a striker in the transfer market.

Looking at the wingers, Kennedy has tended to prefer players who are capable of playing inside and outside but are generally asked to stay centrally and act as dual tens behind a central striker. Ideally, they would also have the flexibility to play as either a second striker in a front two or an advanced midfielder in a midfield three.

Looking at the available options, my first pick for this role would be Nathan Young-Coombes. The 21-year-old left Brentford this summer with 14 league appearances to his name, but he showed himself to have the quality to be a game-changer in the fourth tier. His six-month loan at AFC Wimbledon in 2022/23 saw him come away with three goals and four assists from five starts. Quite simply he was one of the most devastating players at this level when he was on the pitch, ranking in the top ten per cent of League Two players for goals, assists, successful crosses, chances created, and fouls won on a per 90-minute basis. He was an all-action forward who demonstrated he could do it all.

Having not played senior football for 18 months could mean he slips back to League Two and Swindon could offer him the chance to play regularly, but where he ends up is tough to project.

Given that the other homecomings are yet to come to fruition, there could be a chance to bring back Diallang Jaiyesimi. His move to Charlton Athletic from Swindon never really got going and he has since struggled to recapture his magic in loan spells at Wimbledon and St Johnstone. But despite this, the ability he showcased as an inside forward at The County Ground demonstrate what he can offer. He was still a strong chance-creator and dribbler in the Scottish Premiership last season and he has the ability to win games in an instant as long as his confidence can return.

One other option could be Omari Patrick. I wanted Rushian Hepburn-Murphy to stay and Patrick is another in that style who is so quick and dynamic that he just makes things happen. His 1.98 successful dribbles and 2.24 shots per 90 show what he is about. With the ability to play on both sides, he would at the very least be an exciting player off the bench.

A special mention for Rayhaan Tulloch, who fits the tactic of signing a player who struggled for Bradford City the previous season. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it and it would be negligent to not get at least one attacker in this strange vortex.

As for strikers, Kennedy likes the ability to play forward quickly as well as through the thirds and with the physicality of the team being developed, it makes sense to find a target man who can also contribute defensively. Plus, as anyone who is watching the Euros will know, with Wout Weghorst, Niclas Fullkrug, and Martin Adam – the big man is well and truly back and it feels good.

33-year-old Maxime Biamou was released by Doncaster Rovers after a two-month spell there at the end of the season, but he fits the bill. He showed how physically dominant he can be when he visited The County Ground with Doncaster in March, bullying the Swindon defence. A goal every 126 minutes was among the best rates in the league last season and he was also winning 11.07 aerial duels per 90 minutes.

His defensive work rate was also strong, making five recoveries and 2.14 regains in the final third per 90. Evidently, he was not a passenger without the ball.

 Another possible option could be Omar Bogle. Seven goals was a down year for him last season, but he hit 17 the year before and has consistently proved to be clinical at this level. At six-foot-three, he is also a big target at the top end of the pitch for releasing pressure, although he is not the best in the air only winning 37.7 per cent of his aerial duels, and is strong at pressing high, winning possession 1.06 times in the final third per 90.

A final potential target in this trio of giants is Harry Smith. The 29-year-old knows Drinan well as the pair once struck up a great partnership at Leyton Orient, combining to score 31 goals in 2021/22, having a particular hot streak in November and December which included both scoring braces against Swindon in a 4-1 win at Brisbane Road. Only Matt Smith won more aerial duels than him out of every League Two player last season, whilst he also chipped in with 11 goals in a Sutton United side that got relegated. He might not have previously had the best memories at Swindon, but he could be a great fit this time around.