James Collins: Paolo Di Canio key to leaving
Departing striker James Collins has revealed Paolo Di Canio was the main reason for him quitting Shrewsbury Town in favour of a move to Swindon Town.
Departing striker James Collins has revealed Paolo Di Canio was the main reason for him quitting Shrewsbury Town in favour of a move to Swindon Town.
Collins put pen to paper on a two-year deal with the Robins yesterday, rejecting the offer of a new deal from Graham Turner’s side.
And the 21-year-old, who top scored for Town last season with 16 goals, said the foundations for a move had been laid in Shrewsbury’s 2-1 defeat at the County Ground in February.
“When I spoke to Swindon I was impressed with the ambition of the club and with Di Canio,” said Collins. “The gaffer is the main factor. He played in the same position as me and is passionate about what he wants and so am I."
“He came up to me after the game at Swindon last season and gave me a hug and said he liked me as a player.
“I thought Shrewsbury were a bit unlucky to lose at Swindon that night but the atmosphere at the County Ground was brilliant and once they got on top the fans were brilliant.
“I look up to Paolo and he played in my position. I spoke to a few of the lads who had been here last season and they all said it was a good club to be at.
“Paolo does a lot of work with the strikers and will do separate sessions with them after training and I think he can improve my game.”
Collins is the fourth Town player offered a contract to depart the club, with only goalkeeper Chris Neal now yet to decide on his future.
But, despite calling time on his 18-month stay at the Meadow, the frontman was full of praise for the Town faithful.
He said: “The gaffer at Shrewsbury gave me a chance to make a name for myself which led to bigger things with Swindon Town.
“I can’t speak highly enough of Graham Turner and the way he treated me on and off the field. I wish him and the club all the success in the future.
“The fans at Shrewsbury have been brilliant to me, without them I wouldn’t have scored 16 goals last season. If I happen to score against them I certainly won’t be celebrating.
“I had a great time at Shrewsbury but felt the time was right to move on.”
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Comments for: "James Collins: Paolo Di Canio key to leaving"
graham
now is the time for the chairman to put his hand in his pocket and start spending on a new striker, or we will back down in league two.where are the players loyalty that have left the club,turner is leaving it late in signing good players let's pay the money on good players simpsons brought grant Holt in let's see more of the same from the chairman now.
Mark vaz
Yeh ok let's go bust in a few years while we are at it
twisting my melon
why spend money.....Collins was free..
Rob
Roland Wycherly spend his own money, you're having a giraff!
Exile
So is he saying that Graham Turner is less impressive than Di Canio ? Lets see what he thinks after a few months.
gary
going down going down going dwn any one ant to run a sweep on who turns up for pre season
Jcuk
Have faith people.
The club is well run and we have a manager with great experience at his level
I would be very surprised if Turner has not already identified the necessary replacements, he has worked with the departing players for two seasons, he knows there level of performance and with so many out of contract players every year I suspect he feels there are better players out there suited to the higher level.
I wish Collins luck, he had a good season and working with Di Canio is a great opportunity, let's not forgt that the previous season he was simply not good enough, so time will tell.
Captain S
It is worrying to have 4 out of 5 players offered contracts rejecting them. So far we have signed 2 players who had good seasons in league 2 and made a couple of temporary contracts permanent.
As fans we have the right to be nervous at present I hope we have players on the way. Collins will earn us some cash probably via arbitration may be up to 400K?
Golden Boot
no loyality in football any more, players go where the money is..guided by their agents. Cant blame him for going, good luck to him. Just hope we nail Swindon when we play them!
Another Graham
Panic not my panic-stricken friends! We have lost 4 league 2 players. They were offered contracts because we thought they could do a job and because it is cheaper and safer to work that way. Chances are that we will bring in 4 better players in their place.
With regards to the players who have left: 1) money (they will probably get a nice golden hello even if their wages are no better) and 2) never underestimate how much this important factor will influence people: <> This could work in our favour as well over the next few weeks.