MacDonald disappointed but 'that's football' (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

SWINDON TOWN: MacDonald disappointed but 'that's football'

6:00am Monday 11th March 2013 in Sport By Sam Morshead

KEVIN MacDonald knows his Swindon Town team must improve their home form if they are to claim an automatic promotion spot in League One, but he defended his players after a late goal deprived them of victory against Walsall.

Jamie Paterson headed home in the 90th minute to earn the Saddlers a point from a 2-2 draw on Saturday, meaning Town have taken just three points out of a possible 12 in recent games at the County Ground.

The Robins’ form on the road has ensured they have kept pace with the top two, however, and with a tricky trip to Brentford to come tomorrow MacDonald’s men sit just two points behind second-placed Sheffield United.

There was an air of disappointment around the County Ground following Walsall’s sucker-punch on Saturday, but the Swindon boss was keen to stress the positives of a successful season to date.

“Most teams have a better home record than they do away but it’s not for want of trying, it’s not like they’re deliberately making mistakes,” he said.

“It’s very important but it’s very important that we get points away from home as well, because that’s what all the teams are doing.

“They’re not in third position, and they’ve been up there all season, without being a good side.

“We just need to get our heads down and get working hard and pick up the points, whether it be at home or away.”

MacDonald is expected to be able to flex his muscles in the loan market this week, with the Football League poised to lift the transfer embargo hanging over the club.

The Advertiser understands Town have lined up a trio of Tottenham youngsters as potential targets, but MacDonald was keeping his cards close to his chest when questioned on the topic after the game on Saturday.

“We are where we are,” he said. “I don’t know when we might be able to get anybody in, but if that opportunity arises then I’ve got one or two people I’d like to try to get in. At this moment I can’t say I can get anybody in.

“This time last week everyone was saying how great they’d played, and they had done, and it wasn’t as bad as what people have made out today.

“We are just a little disappointed we didn’t see the whole game through.

“That’s football.”