Paul Sturrock's Match Reaction

Swindon Town Boss Paul Sturrock gave his thoughts on Town's 1-0 loss to local rivals Bristol Rovers.

'I think I have a team who just waited for the other team to score. Perhaps some of our players thought it was a done deal and we have paid the price for it.

'In the second half we improved and had a go, but I am very disappointed with what we put on. Every result went against us today and that means that we have to be on top of our game next weekend.

'Bristol Rovers were up for it from the first whistle and we didn't match that. At half?time I had words and although we tried to improve what we are doing, it didn't happen for us.

'Hopefully we will have the full backing of our supporters next weekend. We are at home and it is in our hands now. Full credit to Bristol Rovers because they deserved that from their first half performance.

'He had a scan this week and that has shown an abnormality. It was my decision not to play him and we had to think of his long-term future. It's not necessarily the end of his season, but we shall see how the week goes. It's probably the biggest decision I have made in my football career. Barry wanted to play today, but I made the decision for him.



Ashley Westwood kept his place in the line-up but to be honest the back four wasn't the problem today. Going forward we didn't do it. Ashley Grimes and Kevin James came on and we thought that might just do the trick. Pooky was unlucky and Robbo should have pulled the trigger when he went through.

'I was hoping for a nice relaxing week but that's just gone out of the window. We will have to rally the troops, take the slippers off and put the boots back on. I have had these sort of experiences before but we have to give it everything next weekend. It's going to be some game that's for sure.'

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