DAVID Flitcroft has reminded his Swindon Town squad that they must retain their razor-sharp instincts in and around the penalty area to ensure they reap the rewards of their previous work.

The County Ground chief was left baffled by his side’s inability to convert a surfeit of territory into something more tangible as they left Coventry’s Ricoh Arena empty-handed on Saturday.

While the possession statistics from the 3-1 defeat to the Sky Blues were largely even, Town enjoyed lengthy spells inside their hosts’ half, particularly in the second period, but saw their efforts largely flounder as they closed in on Lee Burge’s goal.

Ollie Banks’ first strike for the club was their sole reward from an infuriating afternoon, the on-loan Oldham man also being the conduit for much of the promising build-up play from the away side.

Surveying an 11th league defeat of the campaign, Flitcroft believes his players need to take more responsibility for making sure such effort goes amply rewarded.

“I’ve spoken to the players about that. In those key moments, if you want to achieve and get out of this league, you have to be ruthless in everything you do and everything that you pursue,’’ he said.

“You’ve got to be ruthless with yourself and find the inner self to find why you missed those chances.

“That’s what we’re working on with this group so we’ll keep moving forward and put it to bed and start work for next week’s game.’’

The arrival of Banks has at least delivered a shot of creativity in the centre of the park that has arguably been missing since the injury to Timi Elsnik, who was poised to make his return from a two-month absence by turning out for Derby U23s last night.

“I think he’s that kind of player, very calm, very composed on the ball, a good technical player,’’ agreed Flitcroft, of Banks.

“It’s (about) respecting that sort of quality, when a player has got the ability to put the ball in the box like that, then make sure you respect it and nail it and score the goal.

“He’s got the quality and certainly got the appetite. He wants to do well and I’m delighted we’ve got him.’’

Frontman Luke Norris in particular was left with his head in his hands at the Ricoh Arena, seeing a first-half drive touched on to the bar by Burge before the Coventry gloveman smothered a close range shot in a frantic passage of play in the second half that also saw a Chris Robertson header hit the bar.

“Nozza’s chance, that’s just got to go in,’’ added Flitcroft of the second of those chances. “He’s two yards out, it’s a swivel of the hips, adjust your position and put it in the back of the net.

“It was the same in the first half. Luke has done everything right and it’s a phenomenal save. I’m still wondering how we didn’t score at key times.’’