Swindon Town players rated after win over Notts County

Aaron Drinan and Paul Glatzel both found the back of the net courtesy of gifts from the visitors before Alassana Jatta set a few nerves jangling with a stoppage-time goal.

So, how did the players fare as individuals at the County Ground?

GK: Jack Bycroft – 6

County’s 75 per cent possession did not turn into many chances, but Bycroft was there when called upon. He made one great double save from David McGoldrick and Macaulay Langstaff in the first half and then put the latter off in a big moment early in the second.

Blake-Tracy organising (Image: Andy Crook)

RCB: Udoka Godwin-Malife – 6

There were one or two moments when McGoldrick was able to escape his attention, but overall, he shut down one of the league’s most talented individuals. He worked well with Zac Elbouzedi on the right to help with what was probably Town’s best defensive display of the season.

CB: Conor McCarthy – 5

As the spare man in the back three, McCarthy did well to organise the players in front of him and generally be in the right place. There were one or two dodgy moments when he was caught out too easily, but he did well.

LCB: Frazer Blake-Tracy – 5

Blake-Tracy was also guilty of some defensive lapses which contributed to Notts County getting into their more dangerous positions of the game. But he was crucially not drawn out of the shape to leave Swindon exposed.

RWB: Zac Elbouzedi – 7

The league’s lead assister wanted absolutely no part of Elbouzedi. His contribution amounted to one cross in the second half as Elbouzedi attempted to press higher. His defensive work was terrific, and he was dangerous the other way even if his final ball was a bit lacking.

Elbouzedi helps up Jones (Image: Andy Crook)

CM: Ricky Aguiar – 5

Another performance when the most impressive aspect was the endeavour that Aguiar displayed. He was tireless in the middle on a day when the most important part in midfield was always going to be stopping the opposition. John Bostock, Scott Robertson, and Dan Crowley never got going.

CM: Dawson Devoy – 3

Running about and being a nuisance without the ball is not really what Devoy is for, but he struggled a lot. He was dragged out of position a number of times by Crowley and was frequently too weak in the tackle, allowing County to win the ball.

LWB: Williams Kokolo – 5

Aaron Nemane is another dangerous wide man who did very little in the game. The speed Swindon had on their flanks made life very difficult for County and Kokolo did well. Offensively he only really had one overhit cross, but he did his job.

RW: Paul Glatzel – 7

The defensive work ethic of the front three was going to be key for Town’s game plan and Glatzel brought energy in spades. He was often covering two players and still, the visitors couldn’t break free. His goal was very fortunate, but was well deserved with his overall display and it came from him cutting off passing lanes.

Drinan closes down Slocombe (Image: Andy Crook)

ST: Aaron Drinan – 7

Drinan has always shown that he has the desire off the ball and he is on a real hot streak in front of goal now too. He never stopped running for the 86 minutes he was on the field and then reacted quickest to get his goal.

LW: Sean McGurk – 6

His running was also superb in the first half as he gave everything he had. He was probably Swindon’s sharpest player in transition before the break and should have come away with an assist for a great ball into Glatzel. He was visibly exhausted before coming off because of that running as his fitness is still not quite where it needs to be.

Substitutes:

Jake Cain – 5

Cain helped renew the energy on the field and keep up the press that had been so effective. He never got much of an opportunity on the ball, but he did what was needed without it.

Charlie Austin – N/A

Harry McKirdy – N/A

Nnamdi Ofoborh – N/A

Tom Brewitt – N/A