WHEN asked about the midfield conundrum in the wake of the Northampton Town defeat last Tuesday, it was clear that Swindon Town head coach Luke Williams was exhausting all his possible options to try and find an answer.

Since the fall in form and consequential falling out of favour for Iraq international Yaser Kasim, the defensive midfield role has become a sore spot for Town.

With a defence that is looking more solid by the game, there is still that need for protection in front of them to ensure they are not bombarded, as we have seen on too many occasions this season.

Such has been the desire to fill the gap, skipper Nathan Thompson and new recruit Dion Conroy have occupied the role in recent weeks.

However, it appears that Town found the answer to their problems in the January transfer window in the form of Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Rohan Ince.

In his first game for the club, a development outing against Bournemouth, his physical stature was clear to see, however, it was hard to judge, given that many of the Cherries squad were south of 18.

Then came the game against Bury, where Ince was given the role in between Town’s defence and midfield, but such was the lack of quality from both sides in a drab affair, his performance went missing.

Ince missed the trip to Northampton as a result of a court case, where he was accused of wounding with intent.

It was a charge that he was found not guilty of on Wednesday and with that sizeable weight off his shoulders, Swindon fans were finally able to see him spread his wings on Saturday and he made an immediate impression, on referee Robert Lewis at least if not everybody else.

His tenacity was a breath of fresh air and while not faultless, there was a desire to atone for his mistakes that has been missing in the heart of the pitch.

Williams’ decision to remove him with 15 minutes remaining was met by a chorus of displeasure from the stands, but with the 24-year-old on a yellow card and tiring, it was a shrewd move.

After all, we all want to see if he can follow up that performance when Town travel to Coventry City next and show that he can provide a solution to the muddle in Swindon’s middle.