PLAYER RATINGS: SWINDON TOWN 0-2 CAMBRIDGE UNITED

SWINDON TOWN once again failed to score as Cambridge United produced their best performance of the season with a classy two-nil away win over a despondent Swindon at The County Ground. TotalSport Swindon's Ryan Walker gives his Robins player ratings in the aftermath of the defeat.

GK: Lawrence Vigouroux (6)

Could’ve done very little to save the two goals after being let down by his defenders. Was positive in his distribution as Swindon pushed on to get back into the game.

RB: Kyle Knoyle (5)

Usually consistent on the right-hand side of Swindon’s backline, Knoyle was poor in defence against an opposition short of goals this season. Caught out of position on numerous occasions and his delivery into the box was poor.

CB: Olly Lancashire © (3)

At fault for the opening goal and looked as shaky off the ball as he was on it. Endured a torrid time against Jevani Brown and was too easily caught backpedalling when Cambridge went on the counter. A poor showing reminiscent from the Swindon skipper. 

CB: Dion Conroy (5) 

Back from injury replacing Sid Nelson at centre-back and looked off the pace against an opposition attack full of speed and quick acceleration. 

Should’ve done better to protect Vigouroux and fans grew frustrated at his frequent decisions to play backwards rather than forward. A disappointing performance all round.

LB: Matty Taylor (4)

Got on the ball lots in the wide areas but delivery from set pieces and crossing positions was awful. Offered very little quality and showed his age against a youthful Cambridge side. Tried his luck from range with a free-kick 30 yards out in the latter stages of the game 

CDM: Toumani Diagouraga (4)

As a defensive midfielder you are tasked with protecting your defence, and unfortunately, Diagouraga failed to do this for either of Cambridge’s goals. 

Loose sloppy passing and a lack of physicality aren’t attributes usually associated with the Frenchman, however, tonight’s performance consisted of an accumulation of these.

CM: Steven Alzate (6)

A rare bright spark in an otherwise lacklustre side, Alzate brought the ball forward with confidence as he tried to increase the tempo of Swindon’s game. 

Was too often left with no forward option as teammates were unwilling to make attacking runs. His influence lessened in the latter stages of the second half as Swindon players admitted defeat.

CM: Michael Doughty (N/A)

Left the pitch injured in the aftermath of Cambridge’s second goal with it being revealed a deep cut to his foot cause his departure. Will hopefully be back for Saturday’s fixture. 

LM: Elijah Adebayo (4)

Lots of effort but little quality appears to be a common theme associated with the recent performances of Adebayo, and tonight was no different. 

Started positively by taking on his opposite number and finding space on the left wing but appeared deflated once Swindon went behind. The youngster is clearly low on confidence and should be given a chance through the middle in place of Richards.

RM: Keshi Anderson (5)

Struggled against a resolute Cambridge defence and appeared short of ideas in a game that needed creativity. Produced some good balls across the face of the opposition goal but was let down by a lack of runs into the box.

ST: Marc Richards (3)

His footballing brain might be operating at a high level, but tonight’s showing highlighted that at the age of 36, his body isn’t. 

Was non-existent for the majority of the game bar a shot on goal that hit the post and was easily dealt with by United’s defence. A rest on the sidelines may benefit the striker.

SUBSTITUTIONS: 

James Dunne: 6 

Brought on in place of Doughty and was probably Swindon’s best player on the night. Brought energy to the Swindon attack in the first half and pushed players on as Town tried to get back into the match. Was willing to shoot but the quality was missing. 

Kaiyne Woolery: 5

Introduced as an attacking change for Diagouraga, but the damage was already done when he stepped onto the pitch. Made some positive runs in behind but struggled to adapt coming into a game with his side trailing.

Jermaine McGlashan: N/A

Brought on as a late substitution and didn’t have enough time to make an impact.