Richie Wellens gave an impassioned take on proceedings at the County Ground as his side lost 2-1 against Crewe Alexandra.
Chris Porter bagged a brace for the visitors as they went in at half-time two to the good with the Aelx striker bagging the first and last minutes of the opening 45.
Michael Doughty halved the deficit from the penalty spot after substitute Ben House was fouled in the box but Wellens’ side were unable to salvage anything from the game.
The Swindon boss pulled no punches in his post-match presser:
“If we start like that, we’ll get our own medicine – the atmosphere in the stadium went flat pretty quickly. We didn’t press them and, listen, Crewe have got some tidy footballers but if you don’t press them you’re going to make them look even better than what they are.
“It took us half an hour to start pressing and in the second half we improved but the start was nowhere near the level.
“We’re just too nice and I’ve told them in there that I’m not going to be nice. I’m going to be ruthless.
“It was tough today because if you start like that and you go out with that mentality you get slapped.
“The intensity was nowhere near, the quality of play was nowhere near. So poor at times.
“Nothing in life, nothing in football, is given to you – you never see a team promoted, get in the play-offs with a lack of urgency or desire.
“Nobody’s hurting more, now, than me and I will 100% be going to Cheltenham trying to win the game – nothing’s at stake but your personal pride is and I wish that some players would think about their professional pride.”
