Four things we learned from Ian Holloway's first day at Swindon Town

The former Crystal Palace manager started his role on Monday and is excited to get stuck in and try to claw Town away from a relegation battle.

With plenty to unpack, what did we learn from his first day?

Encouragement and leadership

Ollie is as experienced as you can get in English football, and he gave a motivating speech to the squad ahead of going out on the grass which displayed his passion and authority.

He has already outlined the direction and his motives in interviews within the last week, but he had the players hooked in training when he addressed each and every member of the playing squad.

“I want you to give me anything you’re not happy with in your life, and I will take hold of that; try and help you with that; I won’t judge you on it.

“You’ll be coming into an environment that helps and suits you, which is the best environment you’ve ever been in.”

Open with players and motivation to improve

Holloway has shown that he wants to get the group away from the relegation zone and improve them as people and footballers.

Beversbrook will be a learning environment as the new manager wants his new team to be open with him and he will also provide the same transparency with them.

He wants his side to be on board with each other and himself, and his speech displayed his emotions and how he wants the culture to be at the football club.

“If I can make you all on the same page with each other, free to say anything to each other without taking it the wrong way and then you know you can give it to me and I won’t take it the wrong way.

“We’ll learn and move forward, surely we’re already improving aren’t we?”

The new manager has got a lot of fans on board already (Image: Andy Crook) Players are the centre of attention

Under the 63-year-old's leadership, he has made the players the centre of attention and the ones that matter.

Despite his personality you see in interviews and clips online, he does not want to take the limelight away from his team.

He has put his squad in control as he wants to be the one who connects what they are doing and not starting from scratch.

“I want your input because you are the ones that go out and do it, it’s not me.

“You paint the picture, and I connect all of you.”

Eager to be involved in training

Similar to Mark Kennedy, Holloway was involved with training, setting it up with his coaches and is eager to help them improve.

There are very small moments where he wasn’t giving directions or communicating with players during drills.

It’s a very good example of his hands-on approach, where he was even participating in sessions to demonstrate what he wanted to see from his players.

He also spends a lot of time with his staff where he discussed what he viewed and probably provided feedback and thoughts.

Communication is a very important aspect in management as it helps players get involved and gets them on board with the ideas portrayed by the boss.