PLAYER RATINGS: Swindon Town (1) v (2) Doncaster Rovers

SWINDON TOWN slipped further down the League One table as Doncaster Rovers did the league double over John Sheridan's side at the County Ground yesterday. Read below as Total Sport Swindon's Ryan Walker gives his Robins player ratings following the match.

GK: Mark Travers (7)

Could do little to deny Doncaster scoring their goals but made some good solid saves by getting his body behind the ball well. Didn’t have much to do in the second half as Swindon tried to get back into the game but certainly looks an improvement on Swindon’s previous keepers this season.

RB: Paul Caddis (5.5)

Admitted after the game that he was at fault for the first goal after trying to play an offside trap and had his hands full with the pace of Doncaster’s wingers this afternoon. Joined in well with attacks and put some good crosses into the box that Swindon should’ve done better with. Picked up a yellow card.

CB: Zeki Fryers (5)

Like all of Swindon’s defender's Fryers should’ve done better for the first goal. Tried to find Pitman with some long balls forward but lacked accuracy with his passing. Subbed off early in the match after going down injured and will need to see the physio to find out how long he is out for.

CB: Dion Conroy (6.5)

Looked solid at the back for much of the game and made a brilliant last-ditch tackle on the stroke of half-time to deny Simoes getting a shot away from close-range. Despite the positives Swindon are woeful at the back and as an experienced defender and club Captain, Conroy needs to do more to organise his defence.

LB: Dominic Thompson (6.5)

Excelled in his debut at Ipswich with three assists but endured a more difficult afternoon against a quality Doncaster side. Defended well but at times struggled with the link-up play of Rovers’ attackers. Got forward to support Swindon’s attacks and produced some quality crosses into the opposition box. 

CM: Jordan Lyden (6.5)

Brought in to operate as the defensive midfielder and did a relatively solid job forcing Doncaster to go wide instead of though the middle. Didn’t offer as much attacking threat on the ball as Swindon fans would’ve liked but a good performance.

LM: Matt Smith (5)

Perhaps his worst game in a Swindon shirt, Matt Smith never really got into the game and struggled against the high Rovers press. Passing was poor and besides a half-decent curling shot just before half-time never posed much of a threat. Was withdrawn early in the second half.

RM: Scott Twine (6)

Tried his luck from range on a couple of occasions but never really threatened the Doncaster keeper. Produced some neat footwork at times to try and get Swindon on the front foot and grabbed an assist with his bouncing shot tapped into the net by Hope. 

RW: Matty Palmer (5.5)

Was again deployed in the right-wing position but was far less effective than he was against Ipswich. Enjoyed lots of the ball but too often played backwards instead of looking for the ambitious ball forwards. Improved in the second-half and produced some decent link-up play but endured a difficult afternoon.

LW: Diallang Jaiyesimi (6.5)

Stood his man up with silky trickery on a few occasions and caused problems inside the Doncaster box but just lacked an end product. Was Swindon’s biggest threat throughout the match but failed to test the keeper.

ST: Brett Pitman (4)

Ghosted though the match and never registered an attempt on goal. Swindon tried to play long balls up to him at times but Pitman was outmuscled in almost every aerial dual. Never looked like causing any problems to Doncaster’s defence.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

Taylor Curran (4.5)

Brought on for a rare appearance early in the second-half in place of the injured Zeki Fryers and failed to impress. Picked up a yellow card for a rash challenge on goalscorer Okenabirhie in the second-half and should’ve done better to clear the cross into the box for Doncaster’s second goal. A tough match to come into having not played for so long and with Odimayo on the bench it’s hard to see why Curran was picked.

Hallam Hope (6)

Got Swindon’s second goal by latching onto Twine’s bouncing shot inside the box but apart from that rarely looked a threat against a strong Rovers defence. Credit for reacting quickest inside the box for the goal which will have given Hope confidence. 

Jonny Smith (5)

Tried to get round the outside of the Doncaster defence but was too often dispossessed high up the pitch. Did put a couple of decent crosses into the box but never troubled his opposite man.