Flamboyant Swindon boss Paolo Di Canio has dismissed his side’s poor League Two form ahead of their trip to Shrewsbury Town tomorrow, declaring: “Our season starts now.”

The Robins were one of the pre-season title favourites following the appointment of the controversial Italian to the managerial hotseat but have lost three league games in a row to leave them well off the pace.

But they were boosted by a midweek Carling Cup win at Championship side Bristol City and Di Canio believes they can build on that by becoming the first away team to win at the Greenhous Meadow this term.

“I have told them (my players) the league starts tomorrow,” he said.

“We are a little bit behind, because we are seven points off the top and four off the play-offs, but four is only two games away, with 42 games it is not a problem.

“We can go there (to Shrewsbury) and win the game, but only if we play with desire and work hard.

“It will not be easy but I am sure that we will have another great performance.”

Di Canio is wary of Shrewsbury’s threat, having noted their record of two home wins in the last week – beating Crewe 2-0 last Saturday and Swansea 3-1 in the cup on Tuesday.

“Obviously some people could say that Swansea made nine changes but if you are a Premier League club even if you make this amount of changes it is difficult to still,” said the former West Ham star.

“It was a great win for Shrewsbury and they have an extra lift now after two wins in a row.

“They have had one more day to recover, this is not an excuse because we will still be going there for a win.”

Town will be without right-back Carl Regan for the third consecutive game and he is expected to be sidelined for around another 10 days with a quad injury.

Winger Jon Taylor has been struggling with a sickness bug and has also missed the last two games.

He is on the mend but has not trained this week so is unlikely to figure against Di Canio’s men.

By CHRIS HUDSON