Dean Brennan rues missed opportunities as Barnet lose to Swindon

Barnet boss Dean Brennan admitted his side gave everything on the pitch but held his players accountable for failing to take key opportunities in their 2-1 home defeat by Swindon.

Adam Senior gave the Bees an early lead inside eight minutes with a low-driven volley, but Swindon captain Ollie Clarke struck twice inside 13 minutes to seal victory and end Barnet’s six-match unbeaten run in Sky Bet League Two.

“It was a great game with two teams having a right go at each other. We had the better opportunities and didn’t take them,” said Brennan.

“I thought they started a bit stronger, pressing us well and making a lot of contact in our back line. Adam Senior’s goal was a fantastic team move, an amazing return for a full-back, but we never capitalised.

“We had one-on-one duels and chances on the edge of their box that we didn’t finish properly. Swindon looked dangerous on the counter, and we weren’t dangerous enough. The turning point came when we hit the post in the second half. They scored after that, and credit to Swindon for digging in. We can only blame ourselves for the missed opportunities.

“We gave our all and emptied the tank, as we do every game. Considering our budget and resources, the lads have done really well, progressing in the first half of the EFL season. After a poor start, they’ve bounced back, shown character, and represented the club and their families well.”

Swindon boss Ian Holloway praised his team’s character after they recovered from a goal down to win.

“We have got to learn about our character, and I thought the skipper managed that, as did all the senior players,” said Holloway.

“I cannot pick them all in one team with games Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday, Tuesday. Will Wright has been out, and we put him straight back in, along with (Jamie) Knight-Lebel – they were outstanding. Ollie Clarke has played however many games because the others aren’t there yet. I have to balance it.

“I believed in them even in the first half. At half-time, I tried to correct a few things – they were trying to play out at the back when we should have done it higher up. Once we got that right, oh my God. Modern passing games can catch you out if you don’t do it at the right place and time. I tried to put it right, make tactics understandable, stop them, and hopefully win the game – that’s all I can do until season’s end.

Holloway saved particular praise for Clarke’s performance, saying: “He’s running on empty; he left every ounce of energy out there. He’s a fighter, like me, and I want everyone to fight like that. I’m not blaming anyone, just doing my job as best I can – that’s all I want to say.”