Boss rant helped us, says Douglas (From Swindon Advertiser)

SWINDON TOWN: Boss rant helped us, says Douglas

7:10am Monday 21st September 2009 in Sport By Anthony Marshall

Jonathan Douglas

“THERE were a few choice words, but I can’t repeat much of what he said,” admitted Jonathan Douglas.

Town’s captain was referring to the half-time team talk from boss Danny Wilson which transformed their afternoon in Walsall from an almost-certain defeat to potentially all three points.

In the end Swindon had to settle for a draw from their trip to the Midlands, and while Wilson’s tactical insight and colourful language will stay within the four walls of the Banks’s Stadium, whatever he said clearly had the desired effect.

After the break the visitors were a completely different side from the one which chased shadows for the opening 45 minutes, but somehow went in only a single goal behind – Troy Deeney’s eighth-minute effort separating the sides.

That owed much to Walsall’s inability to take a host of chances which came their way and Billy Paynter made the Saddlers pay when he slammed home a spot kick to earn Town a share of the spoils.

“It was our own doing in the first half and not acceptable, and he told us that,” revealed Douglas of Wilson’s half-time words.

“I think the performance let us down and it wasn’t good enough in the first-half – we all know that.

“But we came out fighting in the second half. This is a difficult place to come, so to come away with a draw isn’t too bad.

“Give them credit because they pressed us and stopped us getting the ball down and playing, which is what we like to do.

“But the gaffer changed it at half-time and came out and proved a point that we can battle when we need to.”

Walsall made their intentions clear straight from the kick-off as Darren Byfield set Deeney free in the area, only to see Town keeper David Lucas block his effort.

Deeney went close again minutes later before he made it third time lucky when he robbed Sean Morrison and slotted home to give the hosts the breakthrough.

A weak Alex Revell lob was about as good as it got for Swindon in the first period, before the Saddlers were back on the attack again, with wide men Matt Richards and Alex Nicholls both spurning headed opportunities.

Wilson’s half-time dressing down culminated in a double substitution and change of formation, and they should have been level in the 48th minute.

One of the replacements, Anthony McNamee, played a superb low cross to the far post, which just needed tapping home by Paynter.

The striker got that touch with a diving header but somehow diverted the ball wide of the upright, much to the amazement of everyone in the ground.

Swindon should have been awarded a penalty on 71 minutes when sub Lloyd Macklin was bundled over in the box, but referee David Webb made amends for his earlier snub soon after when he pointed to the spot for a tug on Paynter by Darryl Westlake.

However, the 25-year-old’s luck failed to improve as his spot kick struck the inside of Rene Gilmartin’s right-hand post before rolling across the face of goal and away to safety.

And having missed two golden opportunities to draw Town level, Paynter finally got it right when he drilled home from 12 yards after Westlake again had been penalised inside the area – this time for a handball.

“Over the years I’ve played many a game like this where you don’t play well in the first half, the gaffer has a few choice words to say and then you come out and do it in the second,” revealed Douglas afterwards.

“It showed a lot of bottle for Billy.

“He’s missed one (penalty) and so to step up and put another one away shows great character.

“He’s a big character in the dressing room and one that we need.”