AN OUTBURST by a young manager over players’ indiscipline off the pitch.

Frustration from fans over a seeming lack of respect to the shirt by the squad.

Headlines screaming all the wrong things when you want to read about success.

I was considering the fallout from Tuesday's defeat by Aldershot when I started to see more parallels between Paolo Di Canio's team, and that built by Lou Macari in the mid-eighties.

Fitness and discipline are key words in both.

Macari wouldn't tolerate any player who wasn't prepared to give everything for the team and live his life in a way which befitted a professional footballer.

One famous Adver headline read: "I CAN'T PICK THE TEAM TILL I'VE LOOKED IN THE WHITES OF THEIR EYES".

Amazing then 30 years on, that instead of talking about wrapping up the League Two title at Gillingham, the main topic of conversation among Swindon supporters is off-field drinking by some members of what looks like a promotion-winning squad. I'm not going to judge people's actions.

I don't know all the facts, and I'm as capable as anyone of making mistakes.

However, I do know how most Town fans felt after the win against Plymouth.

Pleased, yes that Swindon were almost up, but quiet and respectful after we'd heard about the death of PDC's mother, so soon after he'd lost his father.

Whatever the reasons for the alleged session, it does leave a slightly bad taste in the mouth... quite literally I'm sure.

We should be a club heading to the Priestfield united behind the boss and aiming for that title. Somehow though we'll be wondering whether everyone can put this behind them, and that respect can return.

Hope so, it's been a great season so far, wouldn't want it ruined now.