PAOLO DI CANIO ushered in the new era of chairman Sir William Patey with a new coat. Gone is the swampy green, in has come an almost fluorescent red. Surely, the boss is not thinking of moving on if he has invested in some appropriately-coloured rainware?

But despite a clear-the-air, hour-long chat with the new chairman after Saturday’s lacklustre 1-1 draw with Scunthorpe, Paolo does not sound happy.

Patey states categorically that the three-year plan to get the club to the Championship remains in place. But patience is not a trait you would immediately associate with Di Canio and he gives the impression that, given the bright start to Swindon’s season, he wanted to have a right cut at promotion now. With money available for more transfers, please.

After the recent run of less-than-sparkling results, a sense of resignation appears to have descended on him after the defeat at Crewe on Tuesday night. Repeating the phrase ‘the damage is done’ he may have to settle for a three-year assault rather than back-to-back promotions – with the transfer embargo showing no sign of being lifted imminently.

Di Canio has even attempted to calculate the number of points forfeited since the embargo was imposed. He would probably add another three after Gresty Road.

Swindon led in the first half only to concede two quick goals – both blamed by the boss on McCormack. A vastly-improved Swindon then battered Crewe throughout the second period but, sadly, the game followed what is becoming a pattern – an inadequate return in front of goal given the chances created.

How we miss Andy Williams. Just when he started to add prolific goalscoring to his prodigious work rate, he has had a setback, and, along with Alan Navarro has been in Rome this week having his injury assessed.

Even reduced to ten men by Aden Flint’s insistence on leaving his mark on Leon Clarke, Swindon created enough in the second half to have taken all three points against Scunthorpe.

Now, having played a few of the lower-placed clubs, we face a hectic and mouthwatering schedule in the next fortnight or so. High-flying Stevenage away on Saturday; Premiership Aston Villa at home in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday night; non-league Macclesfield with nothing to lose in the FA Cup 1st round the following Saturday; and the return of Danny Wilson with his promotion-chasing Sheffield United 72 hours later.

Last word on the embargo. Hopefully, it will be lifted by the transfer window in January when we might be thankful for our sell-on clauses associated with striker-of-the-moment Charlie Austin if a Premiership club tries to snatch him away from Burnley.

What will the Swindon fans, who booed him so vigorously on his recent return, say then?