DEFENDER Darren Ward says that getting points on the board is the most important thing when playing away from The County Ground.
Ward played 90 minutes of Swindon’s 1-0 win at Bury on Saturday and believes that Town need to be grinding out narrow away wins if they are to challenge at the top end of League One.
“The last two away wins have been quite tough games but three points from both have been very impressive from us,” he said. “From our point of view maybe not the best football in the world and certainly a lot of things to improve on but ultimately points are the most important thing and that’s what we’ve come away with.
“The early goal was very important - mentally too. With any side at home, if the opposition score and especially in our position being near the top of the table and themselves being at the bottom, it has a huge impact on the game. Although they huffed and puffed, we kept them out well and we had a lot of chances and should really have got a second.
“The same happened at Shrewsbury - we had to defend and if we’re going to be challenging, if we’re going to be looking to near the top end we’re going to have to deal with these games. They’re very hard; anyone coming here, they’re going to have a hard game let alone ourselves so we’re happy that we’ve come away with the three points.”
Ward was partnered by Aden Flint at the heart of Town’s defence at Gigg Lane and believes that the pair are learning from each other before insisting that the team were not getting ahead of themselves despite their position in the league.
“He’s a great lad Aden. Great potential - I like him as a player. He’s a good lad, he’s still willing to learn, he’s enthusiastic and if he can get a few more bits into his game and keep playing as well as he has done then he’s got a bright future. I’m hoping that I can help him but likewise him help me. I’m learning myself and you learn until the day you hang your boots up.
“It’s our job to keep clean sheets. We’ve kept a few now and it’s very important. We take pride, we work extremely hard during the week – I can’t underestimate how hard we work and for it to come together and to get the three points on Saturday is very impressive from our point of view.
“We’re up there but we are literally dealing on a game by game basis. We’d be foolish to start talking about top spot and promotion and stuff like that. We’re dealing with it game by game that’s all we can do and that’s all we should be doing.”
