JAY McEveley knows he may not be every Swindon fan’s cup of tea but the left-back is pleased with the performances he’s been produced in recent weeks.

Having been on the end of some criticism at the beginning of the campaign, the experienced left-back has become a key component of a Town defence which has shown improvements in recent weeks, as well as playing a vital part of Mark Cooper’s attacking unit with his mazy runs from the back.

From his own experiences as an Everton fan, McEveley knows how supporters sometimes take time to warm to players but is pleased with his current form.

“I feel like I’m playing well, although you’re not always everyone’s cup of tea, that’s life and football, and I’m pretty sure I’m the same when I look at Everton,” he said.

“There are certainly a few players over the years who I thought I didn’t fancy but I’m mentally strong enough for that not to affect me.

“I know what I’m good at and if I can play to them I will be alright and we can go on from there, I’m doing that at the moment so long may it continue.”

McEveley is one of the more vocal players in the Town side and can often be heard barking orders above the noise of the crowd, and the defender believes the input of both him and Darren Ward is helping the young players in the squad.

“As you get older you sort of know the shape of the team and the situations that can happen on the pitch, and where people need to be, and organising and talking can make things a lot easier on the pitch,” he said.

“If someone is in front of you or someone in midfield is out of position and they pass through and break the line it is a bit difficult, so if you get yourself compact and keep them in front of you it’s a lot easier as a defender.

“Wardy’s always talking and I’m always talking, trying to get people in positions, and that makes our life a bit easier as well as theirs.

“That’s what we’re trying to get into the lads here at the moment, although it’s hard when you’re young, but they are doing better now and they’re starting to understand what’s going on.”

McEveley also suggested it can be hard for the likes of Ryan Mason and Massimo Luongo to adapt to the more ugly side of the game, given they are used to playing possession football during their education at Tottenham.

“It’s hard to rein them in because they want to go forward and score goals and create chances, but you have to look at the top, top players and they do the defensive side as well,” McEveley said.

“They get forward and score goals but they give everything as well and always get back in shape to cover angles and passes.

“When you’re young you do get caught out of position a few times because you want to do things on the front foot and do what you’re good at, but sometimes you have to remember it’s a team game and defensive responsibility is a part of that.

“The lads are slowly learning that and you can see over the last few games we have been a lot more solid and hard to beat.”