Thompson vows not to change defensive style despite suspension threat (From Swindon Advertiser)

Thompson vows not to change defensive style despite suspension threat

6:00am Thursday 21st March 2013 in Sport By Andy Warren

NATHAN Thompson has admitted he will have to tread carefully as he bids to avoid a two-game ban, but he’s not about to change his ways just yet.

The full-blooded defender picked up his ninth booking of the season for a foul on Gavin Williams in the win at Yeovil on Tuesday night, meaning one more card would see him sit out two vital matches as Town bid to win promotion to the Championship.

Thompson was not convinced his tackle warranted a card at Huish Park, but nonetheless intends to try and keep his nose clean between now and the end of the season without losing the tenacity which makes him such a valuable component of the Swindon back-line.

“I thought it was a little cheap and I’m not sure what the referee saw in it, and after the header two minutes earlier I think he marked my card and I’m not sure it deserved a yellow,” he said.

“I’m going to have to tread carefully now because it’s extremely important I don’t pick up another and get suspended, but I will not want to lose the tenacity I have had all season and as long as I’m not reckless then I will carry on going in for tackles.

“This is the club I have been at since I was 12 and it’s very important to me, and tackling is a huge part of my game which I can’t take out, but I will have to be careful.

“We have eight games to go which are eight cup finals, and I can’t afford to do anything silly and get suspended for two matches.

“If the gaffer selects me I want to be involved in every game, and it would be cheap and annoying if I missed two matches with 10 yellows.”

The youth-team graduate was given the man of the match award in the 2-0 victory for a performance which included a handful of last-ditch tackles, but was still quick to point out any errors he made.

“I was pleased with my performance, even though I was a little sloppy with a few things in the first half, but in the second I was much better and I was pleased to get man of the match,” he said.

“We are all buzzing because the last couple of games have been a little disappointing, and when we went into the dressing room after the matches at the end everyone was a bit down.

“Tuesday was a huge performance and we are all upbeat, and when you travel back after a big win there is a good atmosphere.”