Town Head Coach Luke Williams admitted that his side’s poor first-half display cost them dear in their 1-0 defeat to Bristol Rovers earlier today.
Swindon were slow out of the traps at the Memorial Stadium and Billy Bodin’s fine first-half effort proved to be the difference between the two sides, leaving Williams frustrated.
“The game got away from us in the very beginning because we were overpowered, overwhelmed and it looked inevitable that they were going to score,” he said.
“I think if anything we got stronger and we came into the game more in the second-half, but we started so badly that it was over by then.
“We were overpowered and the opposition outran us and won far more second balls than us and they were more disciplined in their roles.
“We were just overpowered in all departments in the middle of the pitch.
“We looked like we didn’t have enough physicality in the middle of the pitch in the first-half, even with Nathan Thompson in there, but we were still losing far too many second balls and too many individual balls.
“I’m sure on another day that same midfield will be capable of producing a better performance.
“The opposition were better than us on the day, certainly in the first-half, but we probably created the best chances in the second-half and we didn’t take them and if you don’t take your chances you can’t expect to win a game of football.
“We maybe deserved to score in the second-half, they had a couple of chances as well, but we opened them up and created a fantastic opportunity and if Jordan Stewart doesn’t slip at the vital moment then we’re 1-1 and I would say we deserved that.
“I’m sure we’re going to see a team prepared to fight for every ball in next week’s derby against Oxford United.
“We’re trying our hardest to win every game, whether it is a derby or not, and the players are certainly pumped for these games.
“We are still fighting together, we still trust each other, we never turn our back on each other and we work every day – we will stay together.”
Williams also had his say on new recruit Dion Conroy, who made his Town debut this afternoon after arriving from Chelsea on a two-and-a-half-year deal on Friday.
“He didn’t feature for very long but I’m sure we’re going to get a better feel for his game as the weeks goes on,” he concluded.
