Holloway 'devastated' as Swindon miss out on play-offs
TL;DR
Swindon Town manager Ian Holloway is devastated after his team missed the League Two play-offs, losing 2-1 to Chesterfield. The defeat left Swindon in ninth place, despite needing a win to secure a play-off spot.
Key points
- Swindon Town lost 2-1 to Chesterfield
- Ian Holloway is devastated by the outcome
- Swindon finished ninth in League Two
- A win would have secured a play-off spot
- Holloway served a touchline ban during the match
Mentioned in this story
Swindon Town boss Ian Holloway says he is "devastated" his side have missed out on the League Two play-offs following their 2-1 home defeat by Chesterfield.
A win for the Robins on the final day would have guaranteed a play-off spot but Dilan Markanday's goal just after the hour mark for the Spireites meant they ended sixth while Holloway's men finished the season in ninth after Barnet beat Harrogate.
Holloway, 63, was sat in the stands at the County Ground on Saturday as he served the first game of a two-match touchline ban - his second such ban in as many months.
"I can only apologise to the Swindon fans here - in their voice, I was cheering with them," Holloway told BBC Radio Wiltshere.
"We promised so much and delivered nothing in the end. I think the second [transfer] window killed us, the loss of Fin [Munroe - who returned to parent club Middlesbrough in January] - and the injuries after that.
"I can't say how bitterly disappointed I am. It's been coming, we've been getting gradually worse since that window. I am devastated.
"I am disappointed I haven't made the group what I wanted them to be."
Town were top of League Two in mid-November and resided in the play-off places all season until the 4-0 defeat by Grimsby Town eight days ago.
A third defeat in four games on Saturday was enough for Holloway to keep his players and coaching staff inside the dressing room for approximately two hours after the full-time whistle, eventually carrying out his duties with the press just after 19:00 BST.
He added: "I feel like I've let everybody down because I wanted the group to lead the group. I wanted the senior ones to encourage the other ones but it wasn't enough.
"This has been a failure to bond and get the balance right with who we've had and who we've lost, and who I've picked and why I've picked them.
"Five people that can defend corners - I haven't been able to do that [select them] for weeks. It's not an excuse, it's [a] fact."
Q&A
Why did Swindon Town miss out on the League Two play-offs?
Swindon Town missed out on the League Two play-offs due to a 2-1 defeat against Chesterfield, which left them in ninth place.
What did Ian Holloway say after Swindon Town's defeat?
Ian Holloway expressed that he was 'devastated' and apologized to the Swindon fans for the team's failure to secure a play-off spot.
What was the consequence of Swindon Town's final match result?
The consequence of Swindon Town's final match result was that they finished the season in ninth place, missing the opportunity for a play-off position.
