Barrow boss Pete Wild gives his overview following yesterday's draw at the County Ground
Pete Wild was happy with his side’s performance at the County Ground on Saturday, as the Bluebirds picked up a solid point on the road against Swindon Town.
Though unable to find a winner in Wiltshire, the point combined with results elsewhere means our season is still very much alive as hopes to climb into the Sky Bet League Two Play Off places remain.
"I think it was that last little bit of quality we were lacking in the final third to try and get that goal but you can't fault their effort. They've grafted hard, the out of possession structure was bang on and we limited Swindon to very few opportunities in front of goal - yes they had a lot of the football but they didn't have a lot of clear cut opportunities on goal. So for all of those things we're pleased with, we just lacked that bit of cutting edge but I don't think that’s a slur on our players today because I think they've been outstanding. To come somewhere like Swindon, who have some top players and move the ball and rotate so well, to come here and frustrate them I'm really pleased with that."
Wild was keen to praise Swindon for their performance in the game and was pleased with both how his side fared up to the challenge they faced and how their game plan had gone.
"They (Swindon) played some really good stuff, they played with freedom today I thought and I was really impressed with how they played. They have some top footballers and we didn't want to come here and have a football match against them, we wanted to sit in, frustrate and hit them on the counter because that’s classic Barrow and that’s how we do things. We've seen other teams do it to them and frustrate them so we let them have the ball and what we were going to do was counter attack well. At times we counter attacked well, at times we didn't, but if you can't win, don't lose and it's been one of them today for us.
Like I say, I'm really pleased with the structure, really pleased with the game plan but unfortunately we just couldn't find that goal to win it today.
The Bluebirds were forced into an early change at the County Ground, with Rory Feely picking up an injury and Wild provided an update on him.
"His hip isn't looking good, we're going to get him scanned on Monday and see where he is going from there. I'm gutted to lose him because he was really just getting ahead of team there but I think it’s that reoccurring one that has been coming and going and I think now we just need to get it sorted. Because he is such a quick, agile player, these injuries can come and with no disrespect to the Irish league, I'm sure that League Two is a lot quicker. He's had to get up to pace with no pre-season and there was always that risk of injury."
However, the Gaffer was delighted with the impact of Feely's replacement George Ray, who was thrust into the game after just 14 minutes.
"George has come on, against Charlie Austin who has played in the Premier League and I thought our whole back three dealt with him excellently. George came and sat in the middle and won his headers & battles so I'm really pleased I can roll George off the bench to supplement Rory when he comes off. George never lets you down, he’s a top lad, good footballer and I'm bringing him on knowing he is going to go on and do the job that is expected of him and he has done it to the letter today so I'm really pleased for him."
Next up for the Bluebirds is a trip to Grimsby on Tuesday night and the Bluebirds boss is clear in how he will be approaching the final four league games of the season.
"You can get carried, but let’s keep going and you never know. One thing that we have held against ourselves this season is that we haven't drawn enough games and we've maybe gone for it and lost. So my thought process is always stick to the plan, don't change from the plan and yes throw some forwards on to try and get a winner but don't stray too far from our plan and don't get carried away by what's going on around us.
We're just going to try and pick some points up at Grimsby on Tuesday now and we will take it from there. It's been such a good season that I just don't want it to fizzle out so I want to do things properly. The first thing that would be labelled at me is that we're not doing things properly if we just went gung-ho and went for it. So let's keep going, keep doing what has got us here and see where that takes us."
Wild reserved a final word for the 147 Bluebirds who made the trip to Swindon and made themselves heard throughout the game.
“We can only thank them for their support which was phenomenal again.
We appreciate it’s a long and expensive trip down here and we’re glad to be sending them home with at least a point.
I’m sure many of them will be at Grimsby too which is a really long couple of days for them, so like I say we can only thank them - their support is greatly appreciated.”
(Pete Wilds post-match interview was conducted by BBC Radio Cumbria)