Swindon Town 5 Sheffield United 2: Blades need defensive help, admits Clough

The Blades based last season’s strong second-half of the season on a solid defence, but the loss of Maguire – to Hull City – and John Brayford has left United exposed at the back.

They battled back from 2-0 down to steal a 3-2 at Colchester in midweek, but there was to be no repeat here.

Losing 3-0, United did take it back to 3-2, before Swindon steamrollered the visitors.

“We were poor defensively,” admitted Clough. “We need some help in the centre-half department, which we have been talking about since Harry Maguire left.

“Going forward, we scored two goals away from home. That should be enough to get you a point.

“The 18 here today is the only 18 we’ve got fit.”

Michael Smith put Swindon 2-0 up with a double strike. He opened the scoring on 13 minutes from Louis Thompson’s pass, before converting a penalty after Neill Collins fouled Massimo Luongo.

Former Tottenham youngster Jonathan Obika made it 3-0 before United rallied with strikes from Mark McNulty and Ben Davies. But the unlikely comeback was snuffed out as Andy Williams fired home and Thompson capped off a fine personal performance with a fifth goal.

Defeat sees the Blades slip to 10th in League One.

Swindon Town: Foderingham, Branco (Lelan 76), Turnbull, Nathan Thompson, Byrne, Luongo (Reeves 73), Kasim, Louis Thompson, Brad Smith, Michael Smith, Obika (Williams 65). Unused substitutes: Waldon, Barker, Barthram, Belford.

Sheffield United: Howard, Alcock, McGahey, Collins (Harris 88), McEveley, McNulty, Basham (Reed 56), Doyle, Davies, Scougall (Flynn 64), Murphy. Unused substitutes: McGinn, Porter, Higdon, Turner.

Referee: G Ward (Surrey).

Man of the match: Yaser Kasim.