Gaffer reflects on Swindon defeat and looks to the future
Micky Mellon was disappointed after Town fell to another defeat at Swindon Town on the final day of the season with a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Swindon Town:
“It’s just the story of the whole season. We know that throughout the game as a team we haven’t defended well enough. It is just we haven’t been good enough today and that is the honest opinion. We gave away crazy goals but like I say that has been the story of the season.
“A bit of slack marking allowed the ball to go over the top and then we sort of dealt with it but a rash attempt to clear the ball meant that all of a sudden before half time we were a goal down. It hasn’t just been today let’s be honest, it has been the whole season.”
However the former Fleetwood manager was happy to play youngsters Callum Burton and Ethan Jones and gave an injury update on key players:
“It is great to get the young boys on their way. They deserved their chance today and both of them can be pleased with their contribution which is good news for the football club. Knight-Percival needs an operation and Leutwiler has a bad back and Whalley is ill.”
Mellon praised the 502 Town fans who travelled to the County Ground today and who have stuck by the team all season:
“The fans were fantastic as always. They are terrific and we would have liked to have represented them better today but they were superb and deserve better than what they were given today.”
The 44-year-old gave credit to the chairman and admits the planning for next season has already begun:
“The chairman has been fantastic for this football club and continues to be terrific. He is a massive fan of the club and we sat down just like we would do any other weekend and had a chat about what we were going to do with the club. I wanted to speak to the chairman about what to do and we had great talks last night like we always do and we both know the way that we want to move the club forward.
“I think the planning for next season has already started. We have a few things planned and are spinning a lot of plates at the minute and we will endeavour to try and make them happen as quick as we can. There is a lot of work to be done as everybody knows but we will make sure we get that done right with the measurements we know we are coming up against in the league. We know the type of player we need to go and compete against that because next season with who has been promoted and who has come down will be tougher again.”
Mellon admits he is glad to see the back of this campaign but after the summer break is looking forward to the challenge of next season Sky Bet League 1 campaign:
“The season has been tough. Every week has been tough and we are at a level that we know it is difficult. You only have to look today at a team that is mid table to see what the measurements are. We as a football club have to try and get to that and our players haven’t matched up to that today and they haven’t over the course of the season. We have to improve that but we know that and we haven’t learned anything today that we didn’t already know so it is a relief that the season is over. I think when it is hard that is when you find out about yourself and know what you are about. When it is tough you have to keep picking yourself back up again and find out about yourself. If anyone wants to see commitment and drive and passion then come and see me.
“We are going to have a good five or six days now to let things settle down more than anything. In my own head I know where we are at and we will try to make things as clear as we can when the time is right. I can 100% say I will be here to rebuild this team. I am happy to be able to say that and strong enough to do that.”