TOWN FLIER

Swindon................................................... 1

Crewe........................................................ 2

IT would have been nice if Swindon could have extended their seven-game unbeaten run until the end of the season, but it was not to be, writes Peter Mitchell.

Whatever defensive experiment the manager was trying out was undone early on when Crewe ripped Swindon’s defence apart in only the third minute.

Ali Koiki at left-back was having a shocker and was duly replaced after only 30 minutes. Unfortunately, it meant Kyle Knoyle was moved over from the right to cover for him, and he is never as effective on that side.

Swindon looked disjointed, and already on holiday, for most of the first half and it was no real surprise when the visitors doubled their lead on the stroke of half time. Once again Town’s left side was at fault, and again the scorer was Chris Porter.

Town looked a little more of a unit after the break but still created very little and their solitary goal was yet another penalty from Michael Doughty.

There was a little light relief from the mundane when Crewe’s Callum Ainley stole the ball from Doughty and broke away into the area. Instead of scoring himself he made the mistake of passing to the offside Porter. Shortly afterwards Crewe manager, David Artell, who had been giving the officials a hard time from the start, was apoplectic when one of his players was booked for diving, and was finally being sent to the stands.

On today’s showing there would only be 4-5 players that I would retain for the next campaign. Post-match Richie Wellens said there needed to be a “big clear-out” in the summer, and I think few would argue with him.

Finally we learn that keeper Lawrence Vigouroux has played his last match for Swindon and the smart money appears to be on him moving to QPR. If that is the case then he will have to change both his attitude and his nonchalant approach when on the ball, if he is make the most of such a fortunate opportunity. He may be a good stopper at League Two level but he has a long way to go before he proves he’s as good as he thinks he is.

Matt Taylor, who has given many brilliant performances over his two seasons with Swindon, has been missing from the squad completely for the past four matches. There are now only two games to go and it would be very sad if he did not appear one more time in Town colours, in order to be given the career farewell he deserves.

Mr Wellens has said he doesn’t give way to sentiment, but on this occasion Town fans expect and demand that he should. By now we have seen quite enough of Ali Koiki to know what he is capable of.