Rooney Admits It Was Physical

Swindon striker Adam Rooney has expressed the difficulties faced by both sides in Tuesday night's game due to the poor conditions, whilst admitting that it took more of a battle to seal all three points.

The 24-year-old Irishman is on loan at the County Ground from Birmingham City and, after a spell on the sidelines, he was just happy to be back out on the pitch, albeit it was a boggy surface following the recent wintry weather.

With both sides looking to get the ball down and play, the pitch slowed down their efforts and left both teams tussling out a more physical game, but it was the visitors who edged out victorious by the one goal.

'It was a tough game where the pitch wasn't great,' he told the club's official website. 'It didn't suit our style of play to get the ball down and pass it - we have very good players who can do that.

'But we showed the spirit we have to be a bit more direct and work hard not to give away too many chances and then take our ones when we can.

'It was a different type of game to what we're used to, but hopefully we can take our good results back to our place on Saturday where there's a good surface.'

There was a lot of pre-match hype around Swindon only taking fifteen players on the trip to Essex, with Di Canio preferring to leave it at fifteen rather than use any younger players, clearly to make a point.

However, Rooney insists that those who were missing out were still eager to get involved.

He said: 'I know we were a bit stretched but it was still great to get back out on the pitch.

'There were a couple of lads who were sick and, even like that, they still want to be involved and commit to the cause which shows the spirit in the camp.'


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