Sport · Swindon
Ian Holloway hails squad belief as Swindon Town show resilience
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Swindon Town manager Ian Holloway believes a new approach to team psychology and tactical adjustments are driving improved performances on the pitch.
Ian Holloway has credited a renewed sense of belief among his Swindon Town squad for their recent upturn in form. After a challenging run of results that saw the team slip down the League Two table, the manager believes his players are beginning to demonstrate the mental toughness required to compete.
Following a difficult period where Swindon collected just one point from five matches, recent weeks have shown significant progress. A hard-fought 1-1 draw with Walsall was followed by a 3-1 victory against a previously unbeaten Barnet side. Most recently, Town secured a 0-0 draw away at Bristol Rovers, a fixture where the team displayed defensive resolve in the face of significant pressure.
Holloway highlighted the physical nature of the contest at Bristol Rovers, noting that his side successfully managed 82 long balls and 35 crosses from the opposition. The performance earned Swindon their second clean sheet of the campaign, a result the manager felt was particularly impressive given the ongoing injury concerns within the squad.
"I think we really stood up to the physical challenge, and I think that that is a huge thing in League Two," Holloway said. "We have kept a clean sheet, we could have scored some chances, our fans were great and did not stop singing, and we did not back down in a derby, which is really important."
Key to this shift has been a focus on group psychology. The club has been working with a sports psychologist to help players manage the pressure of expectation and improve their collective focus. Holloway explained that the coaching staff has introduced new sessions on Thursday afternoons aimed at building a stronger team mentality.
"They are starting to believe that they are a team," Holloway added. "Mentally, it is tough for any club that has expectations on them, but our boys are being trained in how to deal with that, and I think we will get there."
The manager also praised the individual contribution of players stepping into new roles, specifically highlighting Kaelan Majekodunmi for his performance in a central defensive position. As the squad prepares for the upcoming challenges in their campaign, Holloway remains optimistic that the work being done behind the scenes will continue to pay dividends on the pitch.
Source: Swindon Advertiser — Sport · View original