STRIKER Jerry Yates admits Swindon Town have let their standards slip in recent weeks and is desperate to see a big improvement in this afternoon’s League Two clash at home to Plymouth Argyle.

Town have already faced the Pilgrims at the Energy Check County Ground once this week, crashing to a heavy 3-0 defeat in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night.

That was a third loss in a row for Richie Wellens’ side, who also fell away at Bradford City in the league last weekend and at home to Newport County seven days before that.

Yates, who is on a season-long loan at Town from Rotherham United, concedes Swindon have not been performing to the level they are capable of but is determined to hit top form again today against Argyle.

“It was very frustrating last weekend at Bradford because we know how well we can play,” said Yates.

“I don’t think we played that well for a few weeks now, so we need to get back to basics, do things right and play how we usually play.

“You are going to get these moments in a season and we have just got to stick together.

“It’s been a tough few weeks with the teams we have played and maybe we have changed our ways a bit.

“I think it is just a bit of inconsistency and we have got to go back to doing what we are good at – getting in people’s faces and playing in the final third. Hopefully that can start on Saturday.”

Yates says there has been a reaction to Tuesday’s flat performance on the training pitch, and the forward says the squad are determined to do the ugly side of the game well to gain swift revenge over Argyle.

“Tuesday was probably an eye-opener as to what is to come on Saturday. Hopefully we can put things right this weekend,” said Yates.

“There has been a response. The lads have stepped it up.

“There is no real change in attitude but we know we have got to do the dirty work and grind out results.

“We need to get back to winning ways, starting on Saturday.”