Sport · Swindon
Ian Holloway addresses Swindon Town attacking struggles ahead of away trip
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Swindon Town manager Ian Holloway is seeking urgent solutions to a goal-scoring drought as the club nears an unwanted away record.
Swindon Town manager Ian Holloway has outlined his strategy to address the club’s recent attacking deficiencies as the team faces the prospect of equalling an unwanted club record. Following a 1-0 defeat to Crewe Alexandra, the side has now managed only a single goal across their last five matches, a run that has seen them drop valuable points and struggle to find a clinical edge in the final third.
Statistical analysis highlights the severity of the issue. Across their previous five fixtures, Swindon have recorded only 13 shots on target and a total expected goals (xG) figure of 5.21. Their performance against Crewe proved particularly concerning, with the team managing just one shot on target and an xG of 0.05 from open play. These figures reflect a broader difficulty in breaking down opposition defences, particularly when Swindon holds a higher share of possession.
Holloway is acutely aware of the frustration within the squad and among supporters. Speaking on the team's lack of attacking cohesion, the manager highlighted the need for more positive forward play. "With wingers you can create more, can’t you?" Holloway said. "Unfortunately, we cannot get Joseph Hungbo fit. We have strikers like Louis Millard, Antwoine Hackford and Aaron Drinan, so we have to try to get our full-backs higher and be brave and get them outside people."
The manager also pointed towards a lack of commitment in the box when deliveries are made, suggesting that nerves may be affecting the players' positioning and movement. "We are not committing well enough like we believe it is going to happen," he added. "There are a lot of nerves in there, so they are not getting the numbers where they need to be."
The upcoming match against Barnet takes on additional significance for the side. Swindon have failed to score in any of their away matches this season. Should they fail to find the net at Barnet on Tuesday, they will equal a club-record run of eight consecutive away matches without a goal, a dubious statistic that stretches back to the previous campaign and mirrors a sequence last seen between January and April 1983.
As the squad prepares for the trip, the focus remains on instilling the confidence required to turn possession into tangible goal-scoring opportunities. For the travelling supporters, the match serves as a critical test of whether the coaching staff can shift the attacking dynamic in time to prevent an unwanted entry into the club's record books.
Source: Wiltshire Times — Sport · View original