SWINDON Town manager John Sheridan admits the inconsistency in team selection has had a “massive effect” on results this season.

Since Sheridan took over 19 games ago, injuries, poor form and emphatic defeats have caused the Town boss to consistently change his starting XI in all but one of those fixtures.

Only the starting XI from the 3-2 victory over Ipswich Town survived to re-take their places against Doncaster Rovers three days later, and even then the positions were slightly altered.

Town’s line-up will change once again on Saturday when Sheridan’s men take on Crewe Alexandra at the County Ground following Joe Wollacott’s emergency loan signing last week.

Asked how much of an effect the continual chopping and changing has had on results, Sheridan said: “It’s had a massive effect.

“That’s one thing I don’t really want to do, and I don’t like doing it – changing my team too much.

“Injuries, poor performances and when you’re not winning games, sometimes you change the team too much.

“But injuries more than anything have often played a part in my decisions. Whoever I’m putting out has an opportunity to stay in the team.

“Sometimes when players are coming back from injury, you’ve got to think: ‘are they ready to go back in the team?’ But because you’re not winning games you can put them in too early.

“I want to keep a settled side, and if we’re winning games then it makes my job a lot easier.”

Though the starting XI will look different to last time out against Portsmouth, Town have at least had a full week to work on preparing the team to face Crewe on Saturday.

Sheridan said the extra time has been put to good use and he is hopeful of seeing a well-organised and aggressive display from his side when David Artell’s men roll into Town.

He said: “We’ve got to get on the front foot a little bit more, especially when we’re at home anyway.

“We’ve got to believe in ourselves and don’t be frightened to take chances or to take risks. When you’re at home, I think we should be taking the game to most teams.

“I’m going back a bit, but if I think back to Charlton, Fleetwood and Lincoln at home, OK we didn’t win but we showed we have got it in our locker to perform and be bright.

“Again, against Bristol Rovers at home, so we have got it, but we haven’t shown it often enough.”