PAOLO Di Canio admitted his team were a little nervous in the early moments of their League Two opener over Crewe Alexandra at the County Ground this afternoon.

But the Robins boss was delighted by the application and quality shown by his team after the break, and said afterwards that that nervous energy can be channelled in positive ways as Town look to make an instant return to League One.

Di Canio told the assembled press after the match that a selection of his players had been influenced by the loud Swindon crowd pre-match, and that it took a while to adapt to the conditions.

However, once Town were into their stride they looked disciplined, creative and athletic – and that, Di Canio maintained, is a terrific omen ahead of the remaining 45 games of the season.

“A few of them felt the game too much in front of our fans. They were a little shy but after they did very well and we deserved to win,” he said.

“The first half hour we were in trouble because they created two or three chances and deserved to score, but in the end we deserved to win.

“It happens to the best players in world. Oliver (Risser, Town captain) knows it’s a big chance for him and to play as a skipper and he was quite similar to me.

“He used a lot of energy before the game but this is good.

“Even if I try to guide him to arrive at the game with maximum energy, physically and mentally, it is not possible.

“It is positive energy.”

Di Canio had evidently done his research on the Crewe side, identifying Byron Moore and Shaun Miller as the principle goal threats for the visitors.

And he was happy with the way Aden Flint, who stood out in a mountainous individual performance, and Joe Devera neutralised the opposition’s attack.

“To start well is important for every team and especially after a half-hour when we were in trouble,” he said.

“It was difficult for us to start sharp in the legs because we had a very difficult pre-season and I want to stay sharp in December.

“The lads were amazing because they didn’t stop.

“I told them it would be very tough in the first 25 minutes because they are a sharp team and they attack the space up front.

“(Byron) Moore and (Shaun) Miller are very good players, but I told them it was important to squeeze close, get together and don’t let them go through the middle.

“I am very happy.”