5 things we learnt: Swindon Town (2) v (2) Lincoln City

SWINDON TOWN managed to come from two goals down to ensure they avoided defeat against league leaders Lincoln City at the County Ground yesterday. Following the match, Total Sport Swindon's Ryan Walker gives his analysis on '5 things we learnt' about STFC.

1.) Experience is still needed

A bright start to yesterday’s match saw Swindon dominate up until the opening goal. But despite coming back from two goals down, it’s evident that there is still a significant lack of experience within the current squad. 

When on top in a game Swindon look confident and impressive in attack, however, the youthful outfit of STFC struggle to stick at matches and break down their opponents time and time again.

At the start of the January transfer window Wellens stated that he wanted to bring in more ‘experienced’ players, however with three more on-loan youngsters the only new additions to the current team, it’s difficult to see where experienced players will come from. 

2.) Wellens is doing his best with current players

When a side is underperforming, as Swindon Town have done for the majority of this season, the finger of blame is often immediately pointed at the manager. In this case Richie Wellens. But following yesterday’s draw against Lincoln, it’s clear for all to see that Wellens is doing the best with what he’s got at his disposal. 

Since replacing Phil Brown as manager, Wellens has managed to get his Swindon side playing quick, expansive, and attractive football. But as recent results have proved, there is only so much a manager can do with players that aren’t at a high enough quality to push for the league title. 

Swindon won’t make the playoffs this season, but Wellens must be given the cash needed to make changes in the summer. 

3.) Vigouroux appears disinterested

Since joining the club from Liverpool initially on-loan in 2014, Lawrence Vigouroux has been a player that has often split opinion between the Swindon Town faithful. However, on yesterdays showing, there is a growing sense that Vigouroux is itching for a move away from SN1.

At the age of 25, the Chilean international undoubtedly possesses the quality to play in the higher divisions of English football, but poor recent performances suggest that he is simply not interested in playing to his full potential for Swindon. 

With his current contract set to expire in June, and with the shot-stopper yet to sign a new deal at the Wiltshire club, it appears that Vigoroux’s days are limited at Swindon Town.

4.) Swindon aren’t mean enough

After having two men sent off yesterday, Lincoln City still managed to leave the County Ground with a hard-fought point to their name. And more than anything this was down to their physicality and bullish attitude of certain individuals. 

Sitting three points clear at the top of the League Two table, Lincoln have managed to make themselves such an effective team not by playing fluid attractive football but often by being tougher and meaner in their tactics than their opposition. 

Committing sneaky fouls that go unnoticed by the referee, time-wasting, and being vocal on the touchline are all attributes associated with the current Imps side, but the harsh reality is that their tactics whether you call it cheating or not, work. 

Swindon, on the other hand, don’t have enough of the dogged players that will get under the skin of the opposition and make matches physical battles from the outset. This doesn’t mean Swindon should start cheating to win games, but they do need to find a mean streak in order to really test other sides. 

5.) A lack of creative quality

It took a Michael Doughty brace in order for Swindon to avoid defeat against Lincoln City yesterday, again highlighting the common problem that there is simply not enough creative quality within the current Town squad. 

Coming off the bench at half-time, Doughty scored a penalty alongside and 88th minute shot from open play to bring Swindon level. But aside from these two goals, Swindon rarely threatened in the final third of the pitch. Doughty was usually at the forefront of every attack as the playmaker linked up play in the middle of the pitch, but aside from Keshi Anderson, few other Town players were creative enough to make significant goal scoring opportunities. 

Swindon can’t constantly rely on Doughty to create chances and Wellens must now be given the freedom to bring in more players that can add quality to Swindon’s attack.