SWINDON Town head coach Scott Lindsey says Remeao Hutton has been “outstanding” recently and believes everyone is starting to see the benefits of the hard work the defender has put in since arriving.

Hutton signed for Swindon on a two-year contract in mid-July and has since made 18 appearances for Scott Lindsey’s men.

Remarkably though, despite enjoying a strong season at right-back – especially in recent weeks – Hutton has only managed to provide two direct assists.

Perhaps a fairer reflection of Hutton’s influence is shown in whoscored.com’s player ratings. Hutton has averaged 7.24 over the past five games as Swindon have generated a small unbeaten run. For context, Town’s player of the month – Jonny Williams – averaged 7.26 across four games over the same period.

After the attacking defender provided the assist for Jacob Wakeling’s equalising goal against Tranmere Rovers on Saturday, Lindsey was asked how he assesses Hutton’s progress this season.

Lindsey said: “I’m very pleased with his development. He’s been outstanding recently, and he was again [against Tranmere].

“He’s a real attacking threat, and I think a 3-5-2 formation probably suits him a bit better than being a full-back in a four and running from deeper.

“When he’s in a back four, he’s got more of a defensive responsibility. When you’re a wing-back, you’ve got more responsibility to be an attacking player – he is certainly very good at that, as we’ve seen.”

Swindon Advertiser: Remeao Hutton heatmap v Tranmere RoversRemeao Hutton heatmap v Tranmere Rovers (Image: Adver Sport)

An injury to Marcel Lavinier in September allowed Hutton to lock down the right-back spot, and he’s taken the opportunity with both hands – regularly providing a number of dangerous crosses for Town’s front two or three.

Lindsey revealed a great deal of time and effort has gone into developing Hutton’s defensive game as well as adding to his already-established qualities in the final third too.

Lindsey said: “We work a lot with Remeao – I do a lot of stuff with him on his own. And Marcel [Lavinier], they work closely together.

“We do a lot of work with them in the final third on their delivery and their quality.

“I have a few little rules they know if the ball is running out of play, what areas to put it into if they’re a little bit wider, which areas they’re going to work it to.

“We’re doing such a lot of work with Remeao, and we’re certainly seeing the benefits of that work now.”