A COMBINATION of missed chances, bad defending and poor substitutions saw David Flitcroft’s honeymoon period as Swindon Town manager come to a sudden and screeching halt at the County Ground last Saturday in a heavy defeat at home to Crawley Town.

It would be brainless to read too much into this defeat so early into the new season but Town’s defensive performance took a huge step backwards after impressing on the road at Morecambe just seven days earlier.

After their poor performances, I can see one of Dion Conroy or Olly Lancashire missing out at the heart of defence this Saturday against Barnet as the manager gives Town’s other centre back option, Chris Robertson, the chance to show what he can bring to the side.

In my opinion, Lancashire should be the man to give way as Conroy is the better all-around defender, but then you have the issue of dropping the captain.

Unfortunately, if the manager does decide to make a change, I think it is more likely that Conroy will be the one to find himself on the bench.

One of the positives from last weekend was the display of Amine Linganzi.

The former Portsmouth man was the anchor in Flitcroft’s side and when he was subbed off, his absence was painfully obvious.

I can now see why Pompey fans were so surprised when he wasn’t offered a new deal at Fratton Park at the end of last season, but their loss is our gain.

As we wait for the summer transfer window to slam shut at 11pm tonight, fans are left wondering whether will we be welcoming another new face to SN1 at some point today?

Last week, the manager mentioned he was still in the market for a new member of his squad, possibly a midfielder, and on this occasion, it’s safe to say it won’t be another loan return for Ben Gladwin.

On outgoings, thankfully I think the ship has sailed on any chance of Town selling their most valuable player in Lawrence Vigouroux as clubs like to have signed a new keeper before the start of a season.

I’m confident he will still be a Town player come 11:01pm on Thursday.