PLAYER RATINGS: Swindon (2) Hartlepool United (1)

Swindon produced a dominant performance against Hartlepool United, but failed to finish the chances they created to make the game more comfortable. Total Sport’s Joe Acklam review the player’s performances.

Ratings scale: 10- won the game on their own, 9- unplayable, 8- outstanding, 7- very good, 6- good, 5- solid, 4- disappointing, 3- awful, 2- woeful, 1- frequent major errors

GK: Sol Brynn – 7

Spectacular once again. Him closing down Callum Cooke in the first half and his stunning save to deny Mohammed Sylla in the second were both crucial in stopping this game being a very embarrassing one for Swindon.

RB: Remeao Hutton – 8

The change in Hutton over the last three weeks has been brilliant to watch. His crossing volume is down, but he is so much more dangerous because he is taking extra care over his delivery. Only getting one assist was through no fault of his own, the chances he provided just weren’t taken.

CB: Mathieu Baudry – 6

A sloppy afternoon from both centre backs, but after he was beaten too easily for the Clarke Odour’s goal he did manage to recover and regain his composure. Aside from that one moment he dealt well with Josh Umerah.

CB: Tom Clayton – 5

This was probably his worst game since joining Swindon, which says a lot because he was far from awful. Defensively he was solid but he just turned the ball over a few times on passes you would usually back him to make in his sleep.

LB: Frazer Blake-Tracy – 6

A solid afternoon from Blake-Tracy. He produced moments of danger around the outside but he was a bit in and out of the game.

CM: Ben Gladwin – 8

Swindon have switched up the system since Reed has dropped out of the side and Gladwin is playing deeper alongside Saidou Khan to utilise his passing range. He was phenomenal in this game, his cross for the opener was inch perfect and he dictated play throughout.

CM: Saidou Khan – 6

For two thirds of the game Khan was struggling, he was taking too long on the ball and slowing the play down. However, when he moved into the more advanced midfield role he was a ball of energy and made things happen. He probably should have scored but he created a lot and just seemed happier and more influential playing there.

CM: Ronan Darcy – 5

I think the game passed him by a little bit. As he was playing more as a number ten he was in congested areas and Swindon rarely looked to build attacks through where he was.

RW: Jacob Wakeling – 5

This was better from Wakeling, he is just lacking a bit of confidence. He was getting into the right areas and arriving in the box but things just did not quite fall for him. It was a situation where you just wanted him to score to get the belief back because he was doing the things Scott Lindsey wants him to do, he just was not able to execute.

ST: Luke Jephcott – 7

The goal means he did what he was supposed to, but you would have liked him to score another given the chances he had. What was particularly pleasing was that he was able to drop back and link play at times and also get into those scoring positions.

LW: Jonny Williams – 8

I was seriously debating this being a nine, but I think he was just shy of unplayable. He was flitting about the pitch, being dynamic and constantly creating chances. It was disappointing to watch him come off but him staying fit for the World Cup is the most important thing.

Subs:

Tyrese “O Fenomeno” Shade – 5

He did score off the bench last week, but I still don’t see him as much of an impact player. I am a big fan of Shade’s but he rarely comes on and influences the game.

Ellis Iandolo – 5

I would be interested to see Iandolo play a full game on the wing as when he comes off the bench he always seems to be involved, but in a chaotic way. He is the Darwin Nunez of League Two. He comes on and gets crosses in and has shots but all without the polish that comes with greater match sharpness.

Ricky Aguiar – N/A