GOALKEEPER Luke McCormick believes Swindon Town’s game management will have to improve next season if they are to mount a serious challenge for promotion.

The stopper was speaking ahead of Swindon’s West Country derby away at Cheltenham Town this afternoon and echoed manager Richie Wellens’ sentiments regarding his team being too nice in games.

The manager's’ style of football has reverted back to a similar method that was favoured by now Forest Green Rovers manager Mark Cooper in the last season that Town had a chance at promotion in 2015 – albeit in League One.

McCormick says he fully believes in the passing football that has been implemented by Wellens, but knows that sometimes going long or keeping the ball can be necessary to achieve a positive result.

He said: “I think we’ve shown on numerous occasions this season how damaging we can be to other teams once we get that passing football right, and we’ve certainly got players in the squad that want to play that way, so it makes sense to play to your strengths.

“However, I do feel, particularly in League Two, that there are times where you have to play more direct.

“Game management is huge in this division and there are times where you have to roll up your sleeves and bite and scratch.

“I don’t ever worry about the football side of things – we’ve shown at times that we can do the hard yards when we need to.

“We just need to make sure that, for next season, we’re good at all of those things because you have to be to get out of this division.”

The 35-year-old also discussed the reaction of some home fans when Town appear reluctant to stray from plan A.

McCormick, who has played 188 games in League Two and conceded 180 goals during that time, says Town fans would hopefully come around to an increase in game management and keep-ball if the team is able to generate success from it.

He said: “Once the fans see us getting success out of possession football and keeping the ball, they might take to it a bit more.

“We’re a work in progress and hopefully, if fans see us do the right things, along with that will come goals, and everyone will be happy.”