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Swindon Town 1-0 Mansfield Town | Sky Bet League Two | Saturday 23rd November 2019 | The County Ground, Swindon  *The views expressed in this article, are solely those of the writer and not those of their associated organisations*
In the style of John Anderson from ITV Cult hit Gladiators – “Tin Hat, Reeeeeeeeaaaaaddddyyyy” – Social Media is awash with ‘Dempster Out’ comments and negativity, but for me yesterday at Swindon, despite a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the league leaders – I’m pleased with the performance and approach to the match. I understand the frustration and negativity, I’ve been over it so many times I feel like Enid Blyton churning out hit after hit – the bigger picture says it’s another defeat to add to the mixing bowl of disappointment and we are now moving dangerously close to a battle at the wrong end of the table, but in isolation – yesterday was the best we’ve played in weeks and both the manager and players did everything, bar bring home the goods. Dempster was criticised for setting up defensively against Macclesfield and despite defending his team selection in his midweek press, rang the changes and set up with an attacking flair, which included young midfielder Alistair Smith who played really well in the middle of the park. The substitutions have also been criticised throughout the campaign, and yet Dempster made all three changes, all attack minded, to try and get something out of the game – whilst the staff went to great lengths to kill the comments from fans about the warm-ups, staging a coaching drill during half-time – you can’t blame those factors! On the pitch the boys once they found their feet played really well with a good energy and a good intensity about them, creating a number of chances which just wouldn’t drop. The ONLY blip happens to be when we conceded the goal, not being brave enough to turn, face and press higher up – giving Swindon time to counter, but that is really nit-picking – you’d expect a promotion challenging side to do that anyway – remember, we did it last season! Sorry, cheap dig! The football and intensity we played IS good enough to get us to climb up the league ladder, however I fear we may have taken the wrong exit somewhere and perhaps now are beyond the point of no return in regards to the negativity around the team – I’ve never been so embarrassed by a small minority of our “support” yesterday, chanting “Dempster Out” during the match, no matter your opinion, there’s a time and place! Five wins, Six Draws and Eight defeats from our league season so far – I personally don’t believe that’s good enough for promotion but like I’ve said previously, it boils down to the whole perception thing of what we’re expected to achieve this season. Two cup games follow now which isn’t ideal really as we need to kick on in the league – questions will indeed be asked over how much longer Dempster gets in the hot seat, especially if you consider time for recruitment followed by time to assess and a transfer window – but, like a roundabout, I’ll go back to the start – I’m happy with the performance and application yesterday against a very good side, now – I’m out of here before you lot smash me over the head with a giant foam ear bud! Threeee…. Twwoooo…. Oneeee…. Match Recap Mal Benning was one of three to miss out, with the Stags’ knight of the relm suspended following five bookings – CJ Hamilton replaced him at wing-back with Mellis and Smith brought into the midfield, MacDonald and Tomlinson missed out. Click HERE to read the clubs match report FULL TIME: Swindon Town 1-0 Mansfield Town | Attendance 6,741 (215) STAGS: [3-5-2] Conrad Logan | Matt Preston, Krystian Pearce ©, Ryan Sweeney | Kellan Gordon (Otis Khan 82), Jacob Mellis (Jimmy Knowles 90), Alistair Smith, Conor Shaughnessy (Omari Sterling-James 77), CJ Hamilton | Nicky Maynard, Andy Cook Unused Subs: Bobby Oljenik, Alex MacDonald, Willem Tomlinson, James Clarke *The views expressed in this article, are solely those of the writer and not those of their associated organisations* Comments are closed.
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