FOR a second time this season Town came up against the most rudimentary of tactical propositions - the 4-4-2 - and came up short.

Against Sheffield United, Swindon failed to break down two banks of four and were hit on the break. Against Blackpool they had the same shortcomings and were done by a set-piece.

The game did not start looking as if that would be the end result. Louis Thompson and Fabien Robert both used the extra man in midfield to create space and drive at goal before shooting. Although they failed to trouble Colin Doyle in the Tangerines goal it looked like a rich seam to mine chances from.

However almost from there on in, the confidence to do the same again dimmed. Town’s approach became too prosaic and allowed Blackpool to get men behind the ball.

More than once Swindon’s forwards found themselves in pockets of space with the ball at their feet and instead of risking losing the ball by taking the attacking option they opted for the safety of the ball back inside to the full-back or midfielder.

In a team low on confidence it is understandable for players to take the safe option, but the way Town play they have to be adventurous or risk becoming stale.

Blackpool should have scored more goals on the counter-attack in the second half as Swindon failed to score despite being camped out in their hosts’ half.

In the situation Town find themselves in, it is down to the more experience players to try and cajole their comrades into positivity, but actually it was rookie left-back James Brophy who showed the most attacking intent and bravery.

Most of Swindon’s late pressure came when Brophy either made late runs into the box himself or was prepared to try a through ball to someone else making one.

Nicky Ajose summed it up well in his post-match thoughts when he said the players needed to take responsibility for their individual performance. It is down to them, not Mark Cooper, what happens on the pitch and they failed to take advantage of what should have been a favourable situation.