Swindon Town saw their dismal form continue as they drew 0-0 with Harrogate Town in front of a season-low crowd of 6,333, leaving both players and fans frustrated.
Boos echoed around the County Ground as The Robins played out the frustrating 0-0 draw. Despite a promising start, Swindon were unable to capitalise on their early pressure, leaving fans and head coach Mark Kennedy searching for answers.
With only one win all season, Swindon have struggled to find their form, and this match was no exception. Joel Cotterill’s early effort forced a fine save from Harrogate’s James Belshaw, but that was one of the few bright moments for the Robins in a game severely lacking in quality. Harrogate’s best chance came from Jack Muldoon’s near-post header, which failed to trouble the Swindon goal.
Both sides went into the break with the scoreline still goalless, and the second half followed a similar pattern. Despite substitute Paul Glatzel’s threatening run for Swindon and Sam Folarin’s weak attempt for Harrogate, neither team looked capable of finding the breakthrough. As the match wore on, it became clear that the frustration was not limited to the players on the pitch, with Swindon’s supporters growing increasingly restless.
Kennedy Criticises Harrogate’s Tactics but Acknowledges Swindon’s Failings
Mark Kennedy didn’t hold back in his post-match comments, expressing frustration at Harrogate’s defensive approach. “It was a tough game in terms of Harrogate’s game plan, but good luck to them. They had a heavy defeat during the week, so I totally understand why Simon set up the way he did and how they approached the game. It made things incredibly tough for us,” Kennedy told the club YouTube channel.
He went on to acknowledge that his team didn’t do enough to break down their opponents, suggesting that a more direct approach may have led to a better outcome. “Their job was to find a way to get a result. The game had very little space, especially in behind. The midfield was heavily congested, so it was quite difficult to break them down,” he added. Kennedy believes that scoring early would have changed the dynamics of the game.
However, the Swindon boss didn’t shy away from criticising his own team’s performance either. He pointed out that his players lacked bravery in their decision-making, particularly in their passing. “We were too safe in our passing and not brave enough with our decisions. In the second half, there were multiple times when we needed to play down the sides and be more direct,” Kennedy explained.
Fan Backlash Grows After Another Disappointing Swindon Town Display
While Kennedy may have had his reasons for the performance, Swindon’s supporters were less forgiving. Many took to social media to express their dissatisfaction, with several calling for a change in management. One fan wrote, “Next Clown in JR. Oh and your recruitment is awful. #clemout,” while another stated, “OMG the excuses! Get out idiot!”
Other fans expressed their frustration with specific tactical decisions. One comment highlighted the baffling substitution of Sobowale, calling it “a sackable offence on its own,” while another fan questioned why midfielder McGregor wasn’t utilised more effectively. “The midfield was non-existent today, we bypassed them at every opportunity,” wrote another disappointed fan.
Kennedy’s post-match comments did little to placate the growing unrest. “If I were a winger, a wing-back, or an outside centre-half today, I’d be really frustrated,” he remarked, indicating that Swindon had missed numerous opportunities to exploit space in wide areas. However, for many supporters, the issues run deeper than just one match, with the team’s overall form raising serious concerns about the direction the club is heading.
Our View
Swindon Town’s goalless draw against Harrogate was a microcosm of their struggles this season. The team’s lack of creativity and unwillingness to take risks is stifling their progress, and the frustration is palpable, both in the stands and on the pitch. While Mark Kennedy’s assessment of the game points to tactical issues from the opposition, the underlying problem appears to be Swindon’s inability to impose themselves on matches.
For Swindon to turn their season around, they must find a way to be more decisive and brave in their play. The fans, already disillusioned, will not tolerate many more performances like this, and the pressure is mounting on Kennedy to deliver results.
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