Does David Flitcroft deserve more credit than he gets?

A mere glance at the league table would suggest that Swindon Town are serious promotion contenders. They have a four-point cushion in the race for the play-offs and the gap to the top three is a surmountable five points, which hints that an instant return to League One is well within their grasp.

Speak to Robins fans however and the mood they convey is a little more cautious, perhaps even subdued. The defence, which has been destabilized by injuries to the likes of Dion Conroy and Matt Preston at different stages, has shipped 49 goals, more than 22nd-place Morecambe.

The attack meanwhile relied largely on set piece proficiency in the first half of the season, then more recently the individuality of Keshi Anderson. Added to this, there appears to be a lukewarm relationship between supporters and David Flitcroft,who made some hasty comments about the local media.

Flitcroft’s tendency to act and speak on impulse can make him a good motivator, but it can also see him rub others up the wrong way: he got into a post-match altercation with a fan while manager of Bury.

The ex-Barnsley boss also appears slightly sceptical of modern methods, implying previously that football is sometimes ‘over-analysed’. That belief, which borders on traditionalism, may be partly why Swindon fans are yet to jump on board.

And yet, there is also reason to think Flitcroft is doing a reasonable job. Youngster Timi Max Elsnik hadn’t kicked a professional ball before the start of the season but under the 44-year-old’s tutelage, has become one of the best midfielders in League Two. His partner, January addition Ollie Banks, was not the most popular figure at Chesterfield but has settled in quickly in Wiltshire.

After Christmas, Flitcroft had the audacity to switch to a three-at-the-back system that has got the best out of wing-backs Kellan Gordon – or Kyle Knoyle when he was suspended – and dead ball specialist Matthew Taylor.

The change of formation has also allowed him to incorporate Anderson in a 'number 10' role, where has thrived behind two strikers. One of them is Luke Norris, top scorer with 11 goals, the other is mid-season signing Marc Richards, who threatens to overtake his partner with his poaching knowhow.

There is a possibility that the negatives at Swindon – for example, poor defending of set pieces – are structural and therefore more easily associated with the manager, but positives – the form of Anderson and Richards, say – is more easily associated with the individuals themselves. In reality, problems and successes are down to a wider combination of factors and the boss is a part of both.

Perfectly valid doubts linger as to whether Flitcroft can win over the fans and lead Swindon Town to promotion, which the club is with odds of 9/4 to achieve according to some bookmakers. The work he has done so far however, shouldn’t be dismissed.