Phil Brown said his side lacked the intelligence to break down a resilient Oldham side on the day, as they succumbed to their first 0-0 draw of the season.
Brown’s side failed to score for the first time this season, but picked up a fourth clean sheet in five games in a game where both defences were on top.
After last week’s comprehensive win and performance, the Gaffer said his team lacked the cutting edge to break the Latics down.
“I just thought we weren’t clever enough in the final third – we are going to have teams come here and frustrate us and we have to understand we are Swindon Town in the second division, and we’ve got to be better than that and rise above that.
“But again, I expect our strike force to create better chances and we didn’t – I don’t think the midfield did enough to supply the service and I don’t think we won enough second balls to trouble them in the final third. If you don’t do that, it’s going to be one of those huff and puff performances, and, ultimately, that’s what it was.”
Despite his frustration, Brown was pleased with his side’s defensive showing.
“Ultimately, we didn’t do enough to win in the final third – I’m delighted with the defence and the team when we haven’t got the ball. I’m delighted with the mentality, in six months that work has certainly come through now with another clean sheet which is a foundation to build something upon.
“When you succeed at anything, you have to have a level of resilience, a level of grinding, a level of digging out. Today, it wasn’t a case of not playing well, it was a case of we didn’t create enough but the resilience to dig ourselves out, and keep a clean sheet was something to admire.”
Finally, the former-Hull manager reflected on a key chance and improvement needed.
“Our patience was nearly rewarded with a Keshi Anderson chance, which was probably the only chance but that just highlighted their never-say-die attitude. Clarke came across and made an unbelievable last-ditch tackle.
“We can improve in a number of areas but I’m not going to put too much pressure on anyone – it’s training ground work, and we have to get on with that work. This is work, this is a business, you’re a professional and you’ve got to relax in situations and I don’t think we did that enough.
“I’m not blaming one or two players, I’m blaming the collective – not enough movement, not enough decent, probing passes and not enough chances.”
