Swindon Town manager Phil Brown wants "round pegs in round holes"

New Swindon Town manager Phil Brown has lamented Swindon recently playing players out of their position.

Since a 5-0 defeat to Luton Town on Boxing Day, Swindon have been playing a 3-4-1-2 system, however, a string of injuries to the defenders at the club has led to some players being played out of position, such as traditional right-back Ben Purkiss being deployed as one of the three centre-backs.

Phil Brown, who was appointed Swindon manager on Monday, had his official press unveiling on Thursday and, at one point, was asked if he would stick with the three centre-back system.

"It's difficult when you walk into a football club that's been playing in one certain way, not just style of play in terms of the formation, but it's interesting to understand that there was one or two square pegs in round holes. That, I am not a believer in, I prefer round pegs in round holes," he said.

"But with the size of the squad and the shortage of numbers, sometime there's one or two that have to step out of that mould and go into an area they've never played in before. 

"But having sat down with Matty Taylor, and obviously Brian and his experience with regards to the players and the football club and having the knowledge that's required.

"Matty's been a key figure in that with regards to how certain players are, how they behave, how they play, and what they're like in these situations.

"I think Matty's going to be a big player for us, without a shadow of a doubt, p[along with] the experience of Ben Purkiss, Olly Lancashire and Marc Richards.

"It's so important they carry the younger lads in tight situations, so there's certain things I've looked at and will change, but there's certain things I'll stick with because the last manager was a good manager."

Brown has had his Swindon introduction boosted with two defenders. Ryan McGivern has signed on a free transfer until the end of the season while Chris Hussey is in contention to start the Cambridge match at the weekend.