Swindon Town players rated after defeat to Carlisle United

Town were unable to build on their big win last weekend as Sam Lavelle headed from for a corner in the first half before Luke Armstrong netted from another corner in the second period.

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

(Image: Newsquest)

GK: Jack Bycroft – 5

I am sure that people have and will but you cannot place the blame on Bycroft for the corners. The first one is sloppy marking and a near post header and the second is a free shot from eight yards.

RCB: Tunmise Sobowale – 6

In the first half, I think he did a very good job of killing off any threat Carlisle had in behind whilst Swindon were on top. He swapped with Jeff King in the second and he made a few dangerous runs but never really found something at the end of it.

CB: Will Wright – 7

I think this was a very strong performance from him. Wright did well to vary his passes between short and long and played a few lovely Hollywood passes that were very close to getting people in. His free kick in the first half was also terrific, I was convinced it was in.

LCB: Miguel Freckleton – 4

As one of the more physical players, it was disappointing to see him struggling from the pivotal corners. His runs forward were also not as effective in this game as they have been in previous weeks when they have helped to unlock some doors.

Wright threads a pass (Image: Andy Crook)

RWB: Jeff King – 4

I do think that King’s lack of pace does limit him in some games. Carlisle made it difficult for him to have the time he needs to produce from out wide and that made him largely ineffective. I was intrigued by the move to send him deeper and it helped to a certain extent as Sobowale was more effective but he still didn’t have a big impact himself.

CM: Joel Cotterill – 5

Having been on a big hot streak in his last four games for club and country, Carlisle were able to crowd Cotterill out. He was in the right areas and moving the ball on but couldn’t create a huge amount with his passing or shooting.

CDM: Gavin Kilkenny – 7

Like Wright, I thought that Kilkenny played very well as the single pivot. He covered ground across the pitch really well and was sustaining attacks by winning the ball back and shifting the point of attack even if those ahead couldn’t find a way through.

CM: Danny Butterworth – 7

Although Swindon never looked incredibly likely to score, Butterworth always seemed to be the one most likely to make something happen. He ran at people with purpose, played good passes, and also hit the post at the end.

Butterworth drives with the ball (Image: Andy Crook)

LWB: George Cox – 5

I love that George “Get it in the Mixer” Cox only has one thing on his mind, to put a cross in but I think Carlisle did a good job of defending it. Harry Lewis was quick off his line and the defenders were physical so whilst Cox did get the ball in a lot, very few of them were especially dangerous.

ST: Kabongo Tshimanga – 6

The endeavour and strength Tshimanga showed to fashion his chance early on was excellent and showed that he is more than just a poacher. Defensively I thought he was also very strong and made life uncomfortable for a team coming to grips with playing out.

ST: Paul Glatzel – 5

Like Tshimanga, he was also very effective in the press and caused the moments where Swindon were most dangerous. However, he was just a little bit off it when he got the ball and didn’t find the moments of quality he did last week.

Glatzel chases after the ball (Image: Andy Crook)

Substitutes:

Aaron Drinan – 4

The hope when Drinan came on was that he could offer more of a physical presence in the middle but this did not really come to pass and he didn’t get involved.

Sean McGurk – 6

For a player who missed almost all of pre-season and the early weeks, McGurk looked very lively when he came on. He added that something different when he even if the quality at the end was lacking a little bit for now.