AHEAD of Swindon Town’s trip to South Yorkshire, former Robin Jay McEveley has discussed how Mark Cooper’s side have progressed from where he was with the club last season.

The 29-year-old left Wiltshire last summer in an emotional manner after his two-and-a-half-year spell at the club, joining Sheffield United to link-up again with Nigel Clough, a manager he had previously worked with at Derby County.

McEveley was not long departed when he returned to the County Ground with the Blades back in September. It was not a great day for him, with Town triumphing 5-2 in a statement performance that, looking back, probably marked Cooper’s men as one of League One’s danger sides.

Having watched the development of Swindon’s style under the tutelage of Cooper and assistant Luke Williams first -hand last year, McEveley believes that has laid the foundations for Swindon’s promotion push this season.

“It was a work in progress last year with the how we wanted to play,” McEveley told the Advertiser.

“Some games last year, we were unbelievable but some games, we weren’t at the races. This year, they seem to have found a bit of consistency because Cooper’s had a year working with the majority of the players and trying to get his point across about how they want to play football.

“Last year has done them a world of good and you can see the benefit this year.

“Coops lost the likes of Alex Pritchard and Ryan Mason from last year and he has brought in some new players but they’re his own players now.

“It’s people who he’s obviously hand-picked himself - ‘this person for this position and this club because of the style of football that we play’ - he’s brought in the right quality and the right attitude, and it’s really blossoming.”

“When Coops came in as a fresh face and in a difficult situation, he was always speaking to the older players, the likes of me and Darren Ward, seeing how the lads were getting on and managing the situation we were in.

“He’s come through with flying colours. Luke (Williams) and Coops; I’m made up for them as they’re two of the nicest people I’ve ever met and two great footballing people, and I hope they both do well - except on Saturday.”

McEveley now works under a completely different style of management with Nigel Clough but is still enjoying his football under the spotlight at Bramall Lane.

“I knew Nigel’s style of management when I went there, having worked with him at Derby. He’s very mannered with his players, he knows exactly what he wants from them. If you don’t give him what he needs, then you’re not in the team. It’s simple as that really,” he added.

“I’m really enjoying playing for Sheffield United. The ground’s brilliant, the fans are brilliant, 20,000 every week getting behind you and pushing you forward. You’ve got to be on your game or otherwise they let you know about it.”