Grant impressed with STFC youngsters as Swindon cruise to victory

SWINDON TOWN registered back-to-back home wins in League One as they eased past Burton Albion with a 4-2 win thanks to a debut goal from Jordan Stevens, alongside strikes from Brett Pitman, Mathieu Baudry and Jonny Smith. Total Sport Swindon's Rajan Hothi spoke to midfield general Anthony Grant following the win.

Swindon rushed into a quick-fire three-nil lead courtesy of goals from Stevens, Pitman and Baudry before Stephen Quinn pulled one back for the Brewers. Jonny Smith's second-half strike killed off the contest, with Lucas Akins netting a consolation late on.

Speaking after the win, STFC midfielder Anthony Grant revealed just how pleased he was to see the mixture of youth and experience jell.

"We got young heads in there, with a few experienced lads, and they all jelled together," said Grant.

"We work on things during the week, and people take on what the gaffer says. We did the same at Blackpool but didn't succeed. 

"Boys are coming in and learning the game, and they're taking on board what Richie, Hunty and Tommy are saying. 

"I thought Jordan Stevens, Brett Pitman, Jonny Smith took their goals well," he continued.

Jordan Stevens impressed out wide on his debut, following his loan switch to Town from Premier League side Leeds United during the week, bagging his first goal for the Robins just seven minutes into his debut.

Analysing his teammate's performance, Grant stated how promising the youngster could be, but insisted competition for places in the starting eleven will be fierce.

"I've been impressed with all the new boys," he stated. 

"Jordan has trained with us for two days now and is only going to get better.

"There's Jack Payne and Jonny Smith, as well as people coming back from injury, so hopefully we can keep pushing on and get competition for places," he added.

Stevens is not the only youngster to have impressed so far this season, with midfielder Matt Smith also exciting the Town fans after joining on-loan from Mikel Arteta's Arsenal.

Smith added an assist in the second-half to go alongside his goal on the opening day of the season against Rochdale, and Grant revealed just how good it is to play alongside the talented midfielder. 

"He's a pleasure to play with," said Grant.

"We get along well off the field, and I'm here to help all the new boys, but he plays in my position and I like helping him.

"He's a very good young player, likes to pass forward and get on the ball, he's a joy to play with.

"I'm here to guide them, and if anyone needs help I'm here to bail them out and get the ball up to players who want to put the ball in the back of the net."

With last seasons success, the County Ground could boast a fantastic atmosphere, but in these COVID times, the lack of fans means the players have to find other avenues of motivation for the games.

Grant revealed how strange it is to see no fans inside of the County Ground and explained that the fake crowd noise blasted through the speakers has little effect on the players. 

"It's dead [the atmosphere] but we have a job to do and we have to get ourselves up for it," he said.

"We know that there's going to be no fans but our mindset is 'we've got a job to do' and I thought we did that well.

"It's weird, you come out expecting 8,000 fans here, but it's just Dion Conroy and DJ in the stands.

"But we're footballers and we've got a job to get ourselves up for the game, we all do different things and have different routines," said Grant.

Burton and Luton have both shown in recent years that it's possible to carry forward the momentum from a promotion season and register back-to-back promotions, and Grant said that with the ability in the squad, there's no reason why Swindon can't replicate these successes.

"It's a solid start, we have got players to come back and there's still time in the window," stated Grant

"Last year we were used to winning and that's what we need to get back to.

"We want to win games and put on a show, but if we have to win games ugly, we'll win games ugly.

"We've got belief in everyone's ability, with the players we've brought in and the ones we've kept. 

"I think the ability shows for itself, so if we keep pushing each other and get lucky with injuries, we can push on," he added.