Lilian Nalis wishes he could turn the clock back 20 years such is his belief that a better future lies ahead for Swindon Town.

With new manager Danny Wilson giving a glimpse of what the future may look like in the Robins' first half demolition of Walsall en route to his first win since taking on the job, there is renewed hope at the County Ground.

Admittedly stiffer tests lie ahead, starting with today's match away to promotion-chasing Oldham Athletic, but Nalis can already see that changes are taking place.

The cultured French midfielder started his first game for Wilson on Tuesday in a surprise midfield line-up that saw the 37-year-old partner 20-year-old rookie Chris Allen.

Notwithstanding Walsall's late comeback, the pair did enough to suggest they will get another chance at Boundary Park leaving a wistful Nalis to reflect on a partnership that essentially won't be the future of the club.

"I am 37 now and I just want to do my best for the club until the end of the season," said Nalis.

"It was great to be back playing but this is not about me, it is about the football club. I get the same feeling after a game when we win as when I was 17 or now 37.

"I still have the passion but just wish I was younger and that I had a few more years to come.

"Chris Allen is great. I told him he has the ability to be a good player and he must feel comfortable in what he is doing. I told him to work hard then he can have a bright future. I thought he had a great game on Tuesday and looked comfortable on the pitch."

With almost 500 senior games to his name since making his debut for French League side Caen in 1993, Nalis offers wise advice and clearly Allen could learn a lot from watching his partner.

He would also do well to heed the wisdom that the Frenchman revealed in talking about the role of the modern professional.

"It had been a frustrating season for me but it is never easy after a manager gets sacked and then another comes in," added Nalis.

"I'm part of the team and if they want me to play I'll be ready and if not I will accept it as well.

"I was pleased to play and gave it my best shot and will continue to do that. I kept working hard as I have been doing for the past 20 years to make sure I'm ready when I was called back.

"But now this is more about the younger lads who are the future of this club and if I can be of any help to them then great.

"But there are a lot of good players here and the manager will decide who plays. We must all be ready to play when called upon. There can be no egos in a football team.

"The gaffer has been here for a month and I feel we have made a lot of progress in where he wants to go.

"He wants to play football and you can see the difference even now. He cannot turn things around in one day but after a month you can see what he has brought to the club."

Swindon Town (away v Oldham): Brezovan, P Smith, Amankwaah, Greer, Ifil, Vincent, Timlin, McGovern, McNamee, Allen, Nalis, Robson-Kanu, Cox, Paynter, Sturrock, Sturrock, Razak, Kanyuka.