SWINDON Town interim manager Matt Taylor says he has been impressed with the attitude displayed by his squad since taking the club’s reins after the exit of David Flitcroft.

Veteran player Taylor started his new role last Thursday after it was announced - on the same day - that Flitcroft and his assistant Ben Futcher had departed to join League Two promotion rivals Mansfield Town.

The former Portsmouth midfielder will take charge of his first game as manager of Town tomorrow when mid-table Cheltenham provide the opposition.

And while Taylor is pleased with his side’s reaction to Flitcroft’s departure, he admitted no one can afford to ‘cry’ over the situation.

“I’ve seen countless managers leave during my 20 years in football,” said Taylor. “It’s part and parcel of the job.

“David and Ben decided they wanted to leave so we move on, the football club moves on.

“The players have been nothing but fantastic in their response to me.

“I’ve tried to be honest and authentic with the players who are ultimately still my teammates.

“I’ll give them the facts and try to formulate a game plan so we can win an important local derby on Saturday.”

Taylor has used the resources available at his disposal to help prepare for Saturday’s fixture, including calling on the help of Academy boss Alan McLoughlin and goalkeeping coach Dean Thornton.

While preparations on the training field for the game have gone well, Taylor also watched Cheltenham’s 1-1 draw against promotion-chasing Notts County.

He said: “Alan has been really good and he’s worked at the football club for a while so he knows a lot of the staff that are here.

“He can only benefit us and I’m really grateful to him and the football club for allowing him to leave his post as academy director to help with the first team affairs.”

Former Hull City manager Phil Brown, who also attended Cheltenham’s game on Tuesday night, has been heavily linked with the Town first team manager role.

Aware that nothing is set in stone, Taylor said he can’t afford to distance himself from the team as a manager.

He said: “Next week I could be sat back in the changing room.

“We had a meeting with the chairman on Tuesday. Lee (Power) came in and addressed the players and gave them the facts, that was really well received.

“The idea is I’ll take tomorrow’s game and we’ll have a conversation after that. That’s where we stand.”