Charlie Austin identifies major Swindon Town problem involving Aaron Drinan | OneFootball

Former Swindon Town striker Charlie Austin has revealed his fears about the Robins' over-reliance on Aaron Drinan to provide the goals.

Former Swindon Town striker Charlie Austin has admitted that he believes the Robins are too reliant on striker Aaron Drinan.

Swindon missed out on the play-offs last season after winning just four of their final 15 games, but Ian Holloway's side have made a strong start to the new campaign as they look to launch another promotion push.

Aaron Drinan continues prolific Swindon Town form against Colchester United

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Swindon have responded well to the disappointing end to last season, picking up 10 points from their first five games, and they moved up to second place with a 3-1 victory over Colchester United at The Nigel Eady County Ground.

The Robins were behind at the break thanks to Kylian Kouassi's 13th-minute opener for the U's, but Aaron Drinan equalised early in the second half when he slotted home the rebound after his penalty was initially saved, and the Irishman scored two goals in just three minutes late on to seal all three points for the hosts.

Drinan scored 28 goals in 46 games in all competitions last season, and his fine form has continued into the new campaign, with his hat-trick against Colchester already taking his tally to five goals in just six appearances.

Despite his outstanding numbers last season, Swindon reportedly did not receive any bids for Drinan during the summer transfer window, and they tied their talisman down to a new contract last week, with the 28-year-old committing his future to the club until the summer of 2030.

Charlie Austin reveals big Swindon Town fear involving Aaron Drinan

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Former Swindon striker Austin, who scored 60 goals in 133 appearances for the club, praised Drinan for his strong early-season form, but he claimed that the club may have made a mistake by not recruiting another number nine in the summer to help ease the goalscoring burden on him.

"Swindon love conceding first, but it's back-to-back 3-1 wins," Austin said on his Chaz Kicks Off! podcast.

"Aaron Drinan got a hat-trick, he's kicked off from where he was last year.

"Like I said in the summer, if Swindon don't get someone else in to score the goals, then they're heavily reliant on him.

"They didn't, they're showing that this year, but he's scored three again.

"If you put him in the right positions, you've got a chance."

Ian Holloway may live to regret Swindon Town summer transfer decision

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Swindon have been a club transformed since Holloway's arrival almost two years ago, and no player has benefitted more from his management than Drinan, who has become the best striker in League Two under the 63-year-old.

However, the Robins only signed one new striker this summer in Antwoine Hackford, who scored just six goals in 48 games for League One side AFC Wimbledon last season, which has left them reliant mainly on Drinan to provide the goals.

Swindon's options in the forward areas will be boosted significantly when Paul Glatzel, Harry Smith and Fletcher Holman return from injury, but with the trio currently sidelined, Holloway will be hoping that Drinan can stay fit and continue to lead his side's promotion charge.