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Ian Holloway urges Swindon Town to reduce reliance on Aaron Drinan
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Swindon Town manager Ian Holloway has challenged his squad to find alternative attacking threats as opponents increasingly focus their defensive efforts on stopping Aaron Drinan.
Swindon Town manager Ian Holloway has issued a clear challenge to his squad, calling for more tactical variety to end an over-reliance on striker Aaron Drinan. The side is currently enduring a difficult run of form, having picked up just one point and managed only a single goal in their last five outings.
The lack of potency in front of goal has become a significant concern for the club, which currently ranks 21st in League Two for expected goals, 22nd for total shots, and 23rd for shots on target. Holloway admits that opposition teams have identified Drinan as the primary threat, often deploying double-marking tactics to neutralise the Irishman.
Holloway compared the current tactical bottleneck to the club's reliance on Harry Smith during the 2024/25 campaign, noting that once teams identified the main danger man, they effectively stifled the team's attacking output. He told reporters that being predictable has made life easier for defenders across the league.
To address the slump, the manager has emphasised the need for greater dynamism from other areas of the pitch. Holloway highlighted that players such as Joseph Hungbo are vital to the side's improvement, as their ability to take on defenders one-on-one can help alleviate the pressure placed on Drinan.
Looking towards the upcoming clash with Walsall, the Town boss suggested that tactical shifts might be on the cards to disrupt the opposition's defensive plans. This could include trialling different forward formations, potentially deploying a front two or three, similar to the setup used during the away victory at Bromley last season.
Reflecting on potential solutions, Holloway cited a previous encounter at Rochdale as a blueprint, where Drinan was deployed in a number ten role while Antwoine Hackford played further forward. He believes finding these alternative positions where Drinan is harder to track will be key to unlocking defences in the coming weeks. The team will be looking to put these plans into action this weekend as they seek a much-needed boost to morale.
Source: Gazette & Herald — Football · View original