THE beautiful game has changed drastically over the last decade and for some of the more senior professionals it has taken some getting used to.

As well as the new-fangled fitness regimes and boom in the influx of foreign players, squad rotation is probably one of the toughest things some of the older pro's have struggled to get their heads round.

Town's Christian Roberts, pictured left, is one of those players who have been brought up in an environment of playing as many games as you can every season and, the more you are left out, the more you consider the campaign a failure.

But now with the likes of Claudio Ranieri and Rafa Benitez revolutionising the use of the squad system, clubs all through football are changing their approach - not always to the delight of their players.

While Town boss Maurice Malpas, pictured right, is far from a tinkerman, Roberts has had to cope with being brought in and out of the team on a regular basis but it is something he knows he has to get to used to.

He said: "Life as a footballer now is changing rapidly for everyone, because you have players used to playing 40-50 games but that just does not happen.

"From the top level down to the level that we are playing, to even further down to the Conference there is more of a rotation.

"It can be frustrating but it is for the cause. There is no I' in team, it is not about Christian Roberts, Hasney Aljofree or Jamie Vincent.

"It is about Swindon Town and getting the fine blend for that occasion."

Jon-Paul McGovern's groin injury should give Roberts another chance to stake his claim at Oldham Athletic tonight, after a couple of very different substitute cameos.

"I have found it has been difficult because all I want to do is play football," said Roberts.

"I have had enough time off for whatever reasons and reasons people know of and it has been difficult.

"It is about getting your focus on playing though.

"Hopefully you get your chance and you can show the gaffer what you can do.

"In different games you find you come on in different atmospheres.

"Against Cheltenham I scored straight away and so it was almost like my adrenaline was pumped straight away.

"Having said that I found it difficult on Saturday coming into the game because we were chasing.

"It is difficult coming on as a sub. It is always about how the game is going how the subs are going to react to being brought on. Saturday was difficult."