Cooper's side demolish promotion hopefuls Sheffield

At some point, those expectations are raised and such displays of quality become the usual.

It won’t take Swindon Town too many 5-2 destructions of the likes of Sheffield United for that to become the case at the County Ground.

In a game where Michael Smith found his touch in front of goal again, Jonathan Obika continued his fine scoring run, Andy Williams staked his claim for starting spot and Louis Thompson continued to justify his price tag, Town overwhelmed Nigel Clough’s side, who had been on a seven-game unbeaten run.

Have no doubt, come May, this Sheffield United team, by skill or by will, are going to be challenging in the League One play-off picture.

It gives the result and performance greater significance, as previously the question remained unanswered whether Swindon could do it against the division’s top sides.

Gleaning an opinion from Saturday’s performance, you would struggle to find someone to argue that they cannot.

Aside from a haphazard 15-minute spell in the second half, Town dominated the Blades and thoroughly deserved not just the win, but the margin of victory.

Unfortunately, there were only a criminally low number of fans to see Mark Cooper’s side present evidence in support of their claim to be a genuine force in the division.

For the third straight game, Cooper named an unchanged side, ignoring the temptation to bring in Williams for the seemingly goal-shy Smith.

Just three minutes into a feisty opening period, Yaser Kasim went close to scoring.

Smith was wrestled to the ground by Neill Collins, allowing Kasim to set his sights on goal from a dead ball. The Iraqi’s curling effort left Mark Howard stranded but clipped the top of the goal frame.

Then Obika wasted the game’s first clear chance from open play. Brad Smith cut back for the former Tottenham man but he could only place his effort wide.

The home fans did not have to wait long to see a goal though. Less than 10 minutes later, Louis Thompson picked up the ball just inside his own half and went on what can accurately be described as a trademark run.

Storming through the Blades’ midfield, he drew out the defence and created space for Michael Smith. Thompson then poked the ball to the unmarked striker who finished well, side-footing past Howard.

Town were again demonstrating the vigour so lacking against Oldham in midweek. Next, a rapid break involving Nathan Byrne, Brad Smith and Massimo Luongo, ended with a the Australian cracking an effort against the post. It would have been no more than the hosts’ play deserved.

Sitting on just a goal lead can be a precarious business though.

Town had Wes Foderingham to thank for preserving their advantage as the half wore on. A loose ball across the six yard box was not dealt with and fell to Marc McNulty and Swindon’s ‘keeper had to be sharp to save at the striker’s feet.

Foderingham, it seemed, was not content with just acting as the final line of defence. His play with the ball at his feet impressed throughout the opening period.

It seemed the whole team had responded to Cooper’s call to take more risks. The back three were playing some delightful stuff and providing a platform for regular raids from the like of Louis Thompson and Luongo.

However, the Blades continued to show elements of why they had enjoyed that unbeaten run.

Despite being far the lesser of the two teams on show, they created a couple of openings as the break neared. Firstly, Stefan Scougall flashed into the Town box, wrong-footing Nathan Thompson with a lovely step-over, but his pull back found no one.

Then, almost on the stroke of half-time, a returning Jay McEveley headed just wide from Scougall’s corner. Those two flashes showed that despite’s Town lead could not afford to switch off.

After the break, Town were back on front foot quickly. Brad Smith came to life, cutting across the whole Sheffield back line, he fed Byrne and though the move broke down, the crowd were stirred.

From the resulting clearance, Town fashioned their third goal, Luongo picking up the ball and driving at Blades’ backline.

The Australian midfielder was chopped down by Collins in the box and referee Gavin Ward had no choice but to point to the spot. Luongo needed treatment after falling hard and had to watch from the sidelines as Smith tucked the penalty away.

Town appeared to have put the game to bed shortly after. A much-improved Brad Smith did for Craig Alcock on the left again and found Obika eight yards out. This time the Town hotshot got the ball out of his feet and placed his effort on target to beat Howard and make it 3-0.

Then Swindon simply stopped playing and, inexplicably United were back in the game less than 15 minutes later.

First, McNulty controlled a cross before turning Raphael Branco smartly and lifting his effort over Foderingham.

Then six minutes later Ben Davies got his fourth of the season to bring the Blades back into striking distance. Substitute Ryan Flynn’s cross evaded the Town keeper and the stocky Davies showed great technique to place his volley in the opposite corner.

Brad Smith was one of the few who was still dialled in for Town and it was he who redirected a drifting ship.

Another darting run from the Australian international down the left put him in the clear to find Williams, on from the bench again. The striker still had plenty to do but he turned well and squeezed a shot in at the far post to provide a collective sigh of relief around the ground.

Now firmly back in the ascendancy, Louis Thompson added a bold exclamation point to the win.

Kasim wriggled through two challenges to create the time to look up and pick out the younger Thompson, who arrowed his strike in off the underside of the bar.

The nature of the final goal summed up the win nicely – it was a statement.

Beating one of the most fancied sides in the league by such a margin will make those who weren’t paying attention before take a closer look at Swindon Town.

So far Cooper’s young squad have responded positively to all challenges thrown their way this season.

Rediscovering their groove after a flat midweek performance is the latest one ticked off the list.