IN THE WAKE of Town’s conclusive play-off final defeat at Wembley, boss Mark Cooper insisted his team would be able to mount a challenge again next term.

The County Ground chief will have to rebuild a team likely to be short of at least seven players due to either their contracts expiry or the ending of their loan spells. In that regard, he will have plenty of assistance from chairman Lee Power.

On the pitch, although Power’s influence still lingers, Cooper is more accountable. This season he can take plenty of credit for some sparkling football, but must also recognise the flaws in his approach and with a different group of players find a middle ground to provide more solidity.

Under critical questioning in the immediate aftermath of Town’s 4-0 defeat to Preston, Cooper insisted the style of play he employs makes it easier for Town to bring in high quality loanees.

The recruitment policy will remain largely the same with a focus on youth and players of technical ability.

“(We rebuild) like we did last year,” said Cooper. “We just try and recruit the right people. The way we play, people want to loan us our players. We have targets that we think we can get.

“I don’t think the confidence is a problem, we’ve had a brilliant season. We’ve got one of the smallest budgets, youngest squads and no one gave us a chance at the start of the season.

“It will be similar in terms of recruitment, it will be young, but we’ll try and play the Swindon way and we’ll try and entertain.

“I think we will (get our business done early) this year. There’s no ownership battle to deal with and I think we will be able to get our business done a lot, lot sooner.”

Cooper was visibly stricken by the defeat at Wembley, but remained defiant and tried to focus on the positives.

“(It’s been) a fantastic season for us,” he added. “With the group of young players that were put together so late and to be one game away from getting promoted they should feel very proud.

“At the moment it’s sore and it hurts and I am sure everyone will talk about our performance (at Wembley). Over the season we’ve been really good and we’ve entertained a lot of people.

“We lifted (the players) throughout the season, we played some brilliant football. We’ve been part of some fantastic games and spectacles – the semi-final will be talked about for years to come, we’ll be fine.”