Swindon Town

LUKE Williams has urged Town’s players to sharpen their focus on Saturday’s match at Port Vale in the wake of Martin Ling’s departure.

The caretaker boss also admitted that Vale Park will be a difficult place to pick up points.

“Everyone’s gutted for Martin but the boys know they’ve got a job to do,” he said. “They need to prepare for the game on Saturday at Port Vale. That’s it, really.

“It’s always a tough place to go (Port Vale). The pitch is huge and they’re a competitive side. I don’t think there are any easy games in this division.”

Williams also assessed Town’s last two outings: defeats at the hands of high-flying Gillingham and Burton Albion.

“We played two very strong sides at the top of the division,” he said. “I think it’s difficult when you’ve got to play 48 hours after Boxing Day and the other team have had 11/12 days’ rest. That’s tough but it’s part of football in this country, we know that.

“We were a little bit unlucky against Burton not to come away with at least a point and Gillingham were a bit too strong for us and have got the momentum behind them.”