PLAYER RATINGS: Swindon Town 0-2 Exeter City

SWINDON TOWN produced a lacklustre performance at the County Ground today as they were outclassed and outplayed by an Exeter City side chasing promotion. Total Sport Swindon's Ryan Walker gives his Robins player ratings following the New Years Day defeat.

GK: Lawrence Vigouroux (6)

Played the poor pass to Nelson that led to a penalty being given but produced another good performance. Solid with his clearance punches and distribution was very good. Helpless to stop either of Exeter’s goals.

RB: Kyle Knoyle (5)

Consistently got forward down the wing well but lacked quality with his crosses into the box. Was at times caught out of position when Exeter were on the counter-attack and should’ve closed down Collins and not allow him to shoot for his goal. A difficult afternoon for the defender.

CB: Luke Woolfenden (5)

Frequently won his aerial duals but his headers in the air were weak when compared to the power Nelson puts behind his. Struggled with the pace of Forte and was too easily beaten by the attacker with Woolfenden left backpedalling. Got across to cover well at left-back when Taylor was caught out of position.  

CB: Sid Nelson (4)

Playing in the last game of his loan spell, Nelson endured a torrid first-half prior to being withdrawn due to injury. 

Hacked down Jay for the penalty after losing possession and left the pitch minutes later. Swindon fans will be hoping his loan period can be extended but no deal has been done yet. 

LB: Matty Taylor (4)

Switched to central midfielder after starting at left-back and produced a mediocre performance. Played some good balls into Exeter penalty area but was overrun by the youthful attack of the opposition. 

CM: Dion Conroy (5)

Was impressive with his through balls to Town’s attackers in the first half and appears to have taken well to his new position in midfield.  At times tried to play a more difficult ball than was needed which led to Swindon being on the back foot. 

His presence in midfield gives great protection to Town’s central defenders but he must stay injury-free. 

RM: Jak McCourt (4)

Partnered Doughty in an attacking midfield position but lacked confidence on the ball when in good areas. Should’ve shot on goal when the ball came to him in the box I the 50th minute but instead executed a poor cut-back for Doughty. 

Delivered some great balls into the box when on set-piece duty but Town’s players failed to get on the end of them. 

LM: Michael Doughty (4)

Quiet in the first half and was easily dispossessed when taking too long on the ball. Tried to get on the ball in key areas for Town as the side chased an equaliser in the second half but lacked in his delivery of quality balls. 

Spends a lot of time complaining at others on the pitch but should instead focus on his own game. 

RW: Keshi Anderson (7)

Swindon’s best player of the day and was determined in his efforts to get Town back into the match. Consistently sprinted forward with the ball towards Exeter’s penalty area and was at the forefront of Swindon’s best attacks. 

Nearly scored in the 14th minute after skipping past three opposition defenders but was denied by the oncoming Pym. Tried until the final whistle and was one of the only Swindon players who appeared to care.

ST: Elijah Adebayo (3)

Started through the middle for Town and again offered very little as the team's number nine. Won a small handful of his aerial duals and too often lost possession in key areas. Was replaced at halftime and would be lucky to stay at SN1 past January. 

LW: Kaiyne Woolery (4)

Interchanged wings with Anderson but rarely threatened the Exeter defence. Tried to work the ball inside his man and down the wings but was easily manhandled by the opposition defenders. Is better suited through the middle and is surprising to see Adebayo playing there ahead of him.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

Ellis Iandolo (5)

Came on for the injured Nelson and was positioned at left-back for the entirety of the second half. Continuously bombed down the wing but looked short of ideas at times when on the ball. 

Marc Richards (5)

Replaced Adebayo for the second half but could do very little to threaten the Exeter goal. Jumped well to win some of his aerial duals but wasn’t a goal threat.