THERE is no surprise that Swindon Town’s dip in form has coincided with the absence of Michael Doughty from the team, such is the importance of the Queens Park Rangers loanee now.

With the 23-year-old in the side, Swindon suffered two defeats in the opening six games of the season.

However, since being sidelined due to surgery on his appendix, Town have mustered just one win - a 2-0 success over Oldham.

Doughty’s return in the summer was a huge boost to the club as he gives Swindon something different in a role where they have an abundance in number.

While all of the nine central midfielders currently on the books at the club are more than comfortable with the ball at their feet, Doughty has the ability to drive at a defence and whip balls into the box with his fine left peg.

While that direct nature doesn’t technically adhere to the ‘Swindon Way’, it offers a different outlet and appeases those in the crowd who appear to suffer with a form of footballing ‘Tourette’s Syndrome’ when it comes to shouting the word ‘forward’.

Meanwhile, Yaser Kasim has cut a frustrated figure at the base of the holding midfield which, while not exactly a new phenomenon this season, has not helped Swindon move the ball as seamlessly from back to front as they have done before.

Sean Murray has provided a bright spark since his transfer deadline day arrival from Watford, despite his first touch against Peterborough United, but is still taking time to get himself up to speed with the game.

With Conor Thomas having been utilised for his defensive capabilities to plug holes at the back, he has been unable to nail down one of the midfield slots, which won’t be helped by the recurrence of a hip injury that plagued him at Coventry City.

John Goddard is another who has failed to make the number 10 role his own following his transfer from non-league side Woking and a bright start to pre-season.

With the lack of any wide midfielders in the squad, none in fact, Luke Williams has tied his own hands when it comes to switching to a flat midfield four as a way of changing things up, with a diamond formation his only other option.

All-in-all the midfield has been very unsettled so far which, given Swindon’s reliance on a midfield that can keep hold of possession with short intricate passing moves, is less than ideal for developing those relationships.

Instead, the ball has ended up coming back at the defence all too quickly and, at the other end, the strikers are suffering from the lack of high quality delivery that they require to thrive.

What do you think the problem is at Swindon Town?

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