Michael Flynn was happy with how his Swindon side managed to change the game as it went on during their 2-0 win over Walsall.
Charlie Austin’s goal with just two minutes played set the Robins on course for three points to maintain their unbeaten start to the league season.
They had to wait until two minutes from time for Rushian Hepburn-Murphy’s clincher and Flynn said: “I thought we started really well, but after that we kind of played into their hands for a while as they played the box in midfield.
“That created an overload in midfield and stopped us from building from the back as fluently as we usually do.
“And we were also too sloppy on some passes, Isaac Hutchinson was given too much space at times on the turnover.
“The longer the game went on, we knew we were going to have to come out and be a little bit more adventurous.
“They have some good players at Walsall – and I should know because I signed a load of them – but the minute they went 3-5-2 we really took control.”
Free-scoring Swindon took just two minutes to find the back of the net when Remeao Hutton found Austin in the middle and he headed beyond the dive of Owen Evans.
Murphy Mahoney denied Freddie Draper and equaliser and Austin went close to a second when he was allowed too much space outside the box and struck a low rasping drive just wide.
Walsall were reduced to 10 men after Tom Knowles was dismissed for two bookings in quick succession and Swindon wrapped up the three points two minutes from time as Liam Gordon and Walsall overplayed at the back and Hepburn-Murphy got ahead of Evans and steadied himself before tucking into the empty net.
Walsall boss Mat Sadler felt his team did not respond well enough to their early setback.
He said: “I thought the game was lost in the first two minutes where we conceded, that was the frustration for me.
“We had opportunities to go and counter-attack. It felt like we tried to go and score too quickly when there was the chance to play through them, which is what I thought we could do. But they are a good team in the division and we are a good team in the division.
“It felt like we’ve missed an opportunity. That’s what it felt like for me watching the game, that you felt like there was going to be a moment where we got back into it, got that goal.
“Liam will win matches for us, he will save matches going in defensively and he will win matches for us attacking-wise.
“He’s a fantastic person. We all make mistakes.”
Fabrizio Romano reports on his YouTube channel that in recent hours there have been new conversations between Arsenal and Noni Madueke's camp.Romano adds that he believes Madueke could be open to the transfer, given this second round of talks. If the winger had no interest in the move, presumably his camp would have shut things down immediately.The journalist clarifies that this doesn't mean Madue...
Catalan publication Sport claims that the Blues are "willing" to pay €40m (£34m) for the young Spaniard, who has caught the eye with his performances at the Club World Cup.Garcia has scored 3 goals in 4 appearances, including the winner against Juventus in the last 16 earlier this week.Even so, Real may be open to selling the 21-year-old, but Sport suggest they may want to include a buy...
Inter Miami CF and Lionel Messi remain in negotiations to extend the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's contract beyond the end of 2025, a source told ESPN.Despite recent reports linking Messi to clubs in other leagues, both Inter Miami and the Argentine captain remain interested in continuing their relationship on the field.Messi signed with Inter Miami in July 2023 on a two-and-a-half year Designat...
Szczesny poised to extend Barcelona stay with new dealBarcelona are on the verge of securing a contract extension with experienced goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who is expected to sign a new two-year deal, sources told ESPN.Szczesny had previously acknowledged receiving an offer from Barca in May but requested some more time to evaluate his future. The Polish international has now decided to commi...
Chelsea take on Palmeiras in the quarter-finalsChelsea manager Enzo Maresca has tempered expectations ahead of Friday’s FIFA Club World Cup quarter-final against Palmeiras, stating that ‘football is full of surprises’.The Premier League side secured their place in this stage by defeating Portuguese giants Benfica, while Abel Ferreira’s team overcame Brazilian rivals Botafog...
REVEALED: Agents almost wrecked David's dream Juventus moveJonathan David pushed his agents to accept a major cut on their commission to seal his move to Juventus.In Turin today for his Juve medical, there was a danger of the move collapsing due to the demands of David's agents.A free agent from Lille, David's agents wanted a massive €25m to place the player at his next club, says Tuttosport...
Forest to bid for Leicester defender Kristiansen linked with Roma and EvertonNottingham Forest are said to be keen on Leicester City defender Victor Kristiansen this summer despite interest from other clubs.Leicester were relegated from the Premier League last season, having only gained promotion the year before and will be hoping to keep the squad together ahead of the new campaign where the Foxe...
Five Man Utd stars ask to leave including Rashford, Antony, Garnacho and SanchoFive Manchester United stars have informed the club that they wish to leave this summer after much transfer speculation.After the club’s worst season in history which saw United finish 15th in the Premier League, get knocked out of both domestic cups, and be beaten by Tottenham in the Europa League final, five pla...
Garnacho intends to stay in the Premier League after Man Utd departureAlejandro Garnacho has informed Manchester United that he wishes to leave the side this summer as he hopes to join another Premier League club.Garnacho was told he could leave United in May after complaining he was only on the bench for the Europa League final defeat to Tottenham. He, as well as Tyrell Malacia, Marcus Rashford, ...
Fluminense's Hercules scores his team's second goal in the Club World Cup 2025 quarter-final against Al Hilal.Fluminense vs Al Hilal was the Club World Cup quarter-final match-up that no one could've predicted ahead of their fixtures against Internazionale and Manchester City respectively.Often referred to as 'the beautiful game,' football has a habit of upsetting the status quo and writing altern...
- 1 Liverpool willing to make swap proposal to Palace for Guehi
- 2 Inside jet-setting England star Dominic Solanke's honeymoon with wife Erica
- 3 Raphinha happy to see Barcelona miss out on FIFA Club World Cup
- 4 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 5 Mystery blonde who had night out with Kieran Trippier
- 6 Sporting CP president Varandas: Gyokeres knows price he can leave for
- 7 Frustrated Arsenal turn to Eintracht Frankfurt striker Ekitike
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 Cristiano Ronaldo to join up with Portuguese boss at Al-Nassr
- 10 Coleen Rooney eclipses husband Wayne as main breadwinner