Dion Conroy not playing well enough says Tommy Wright

DION CONROY will need to improve significantly says Assistant Manager Tommy Wright if he is to force his way back into the Swindon Town matchday squad after being dropped for the two previous games. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker spoke to Wright about the club captain earlier in the week.

Since arriving at the County Ground on a permanent transfer from Chelsea in 2017, Dion Conroy has endured a mixed career to date with long-term injuries hampering his progression. However, a standout 19/20 season saw him made club Captain under Richie Wellens as a string of impressive performances saw Swindon lift the League Two title. 

In contrast, this season has been a difficult year for the 26-year old with Conroy making 19 appearances in the league, forming part of a defence that won just 3 games, lost 12, and conceded 36 goals. 

Normally one of the first names on the team-sheet, Conroy has found himself dropped for back-to-back games as Swindon recorded consecutive victories for the first time this season, keeping clean-sheets in both those games.

Speaking on Conroy’s future at Swindon, Assistant Manager Tommy Wright said the defender will need to work hard if he is to get back into the team.

“He’s not been playing well enough, it’s as simple as that,” said Wright.

“He’s not performing to the levels we expected and I think Dion himself will admit to that as well.

“He’s not played well.

“He has had bad injuries and been unlucky with his injuries when coming back but he needs to get fitter,” he added.

"Dion had a good run in the team but we were just conceding too many goals and we had to change the defence.

“We couldn’t keep playing the same backline with the goals flying in, we were conceding poor goals and we just had to change it.

“We gambled playing a back three with Akin Odimayo, Ellis Iandolo, and Anthony Grant but they kept a clean-sheet,” he said.

“It’s part and parcel of the game. If you’re not playing well enough then you’re not going to be selected.

“He’s got to look after himself, but we felt we needed to change the back-line,” said Wright.

With Conroy expelled to the sidelines, manager John Sheridan appears to have found his best defensive set-up yet with Anthony Grant, Ellis Iandolo, and Akin Odimayo forming a three-man central defence that has helped lift Swindon three points above the League One relegation zone.

When questioned on this, Wright praised Grant for commanding those around him.

“Anthony is quite experienced and knows how to use his body,’ stated Wright.

"We needed someone back there with a voice, and who could speak to Ellis Iandolo and Akin Odimayo on either side.

“I thought he has done very well and I think the selection worked well. 

“It was a winning combination and a clean-sheet,” he said.