ASSISTANT manager Tommy Wright revealed the Swindon Town squad had an open chat about the team’s fortunes prior to their vital League One fixture against Rochdale on Tuesday night.

With the club second bottom and facing a pressure-packed final six games of the season, Town’s form has dropped off at the worst possible time. Three consecutive defeats followed back-to-back wins, and now John Sheridan’s men have two games against a pair of direct relegation rivals in the next five days.

Wright said everyone was able to speak during Monday’s shortened training session, with the focus on trying to make sure everyone takes responsibility for each other’s performances.

Wright said: “Everybody had their say in training – it was an open chat. Lee Camp and Brett Pitman with their experience, but the young ones put across their point of view too.

“It was just to say: “we all have to take responsibility here”. There’s one man who is manager, and he gets the credit when we win but he also gets the criticism when we lose. But we’re a part of it as well, and we have to take responsibility too.

“We have to do better, but I’ve told the players we have a good chance of surviving. We have to be positive, but we have to take responsibility for our performances.”

Ahead of Town’s trip to the Crown Oil Arena, Wright gave updates on several players who were either injured or involved in early transfer speculation.

The assistant said there had been no concrete interest in Jack Payne after rumours Barnsley were prepared to make a £300,000 bid, while Wright confirmed there was no update on Scott Twine’s contract situation.

The 55-year-old said Paul Caddis and Brett Pitman would likely be involved against Dale before confirming Dion Conroy had asked to have surgery and would likely miss more time.

Wright said: “Akin Odimayo trained on Monday, we’re just waiting to see if he’ll have a reaction. It will be a late decision (on Odimayo), but he looked OK.

“Rob Hunt has done a little bit of training, but he still looks like he’s a little bit away from where he needs to be. Jordan Lyden trained fully – Tuesday is a bit early for him still, but he trained fully and seemed to be OK.

“Mathieu Baudry trained but because he’s been out for such a long time, time might just run out for him to be back. Dion Conroy is having surgery, he asked for surgery and he will have that next week.”