DAVID Flitcroft is wary of the threats posed by Swindon Town as he prepares to make his first return to the Energy Check County Ground this afternoon.

Town, now under the guidance of Phil Brown, have had an inconsistent start to the new League Two season, with four victories and draws apiece from 13 league fixtures, coupled with five draws.

Their latest match is at home to Mansfield Town this afternoon, which sees Flitcroft travel to Wiltshire with the side he left Swindon to join back in March.

Flitcroft says he will not be overly familiar with what to expect from the current Swindon set-up, with almost half of the first-team squad he left having been overhauled.

However, despite his former side’s fluctuating fortunes this term, the ex-Bury and Barnsley chief has no doubt that Swindon are capable of a producing a strong performance.

“They have chopped and changed since I left and haven’t really had a settled team,” said Flitcroft.

“There is a spine of certain players but otherwise there have been a lot changes to the team and the system over the last month, playing 4-4-2, 3-5-2, 4-3-3, probably just trying to find the best formula and consistency in performance.

“Over the last six weeks, they have had a mixed bag of form. That has shown in team selections and different shapes.

“Phil is trying to find a solution as we all are. Like all managers you have sleepless nights trying to find the solutions. Phil is an incredibly experienced manager who will try to find that formula.

“They are just inconsistent at the minute, but they have a lot of threat and quality players in the team.”

Although Flitcroft’s affiliation with Swindon has since expired, he has only good will for his former players and hopes to see them rise to their full potential.

“I want to see players do well, not just in football but in life. Of all the players I have worked with I have no bitterness to anyone,” said Flitcroft.

“You just want them to keep progressing. You hope you have challenged them or taught them on the training ground and their values stay strong.”