FORMER Swindon Town striker Tyler Smith has made some startling revelations about his time under John Sheridan, claiming “no one really knew what they were meant to be doing” on the pitch.

The Sheffield United loanee has returned home after reaching double figures for goals on the final day of the season, despite only playing 26 times in a tumultuous campaign in Wiltshire.

Speaking on Swindon Town Official Supporters Club’s Monday Night Panel season review, Smith discussed a lack of service throughout the season, his relationship with Sheridan, and the confusion over tactical plans during 2021.

The 22-year-old expressed frustration at a lack of identity for the team and suggested that was one of the primary reasons behind the club’s relegation.

Smith said: “It was difficult because no one really knew what they were meant to be doing.

“We had a formation, but it didn’t really go to plan. Sheridan wanted you to do this but some people were doing that – everyone was all over the place, I’ll be honest.

“We didn’t really know what to do, what we wanted, what the manager wanted of us. We were just going off the cuff, and you can’t do that, you need to have a plan on how to win games and what to do.

“We didn’t have that, we didn’t have that at all. We were going game-by-game and saying whatever happens, happens. You can’t do that, and that’s why we’ve been relegated.”

Smith’s refreshingly honest answers also saw the Sheffield lad analyse how the mood around the squad became progressively worse throughout the season.

The 22-year-old claimed his teammates felt a play-off push was a realistic option early on before Sheridan’s appointment transformed the players’ thoughts towards thinking relegation was unlikely to be avoided.

Smith said: “We didn’t really have a structure, a plan going forward, how to really play.

“Sometimes, it felt like you were at the park with your friends having a kick about, hoping to get a few goals and try not to concede – that’s what it felt like at times.

“There was no real desire or structure about what we were going to do.

“In League One, there are big teams so we know we can compete but knowing we want to play a certain way. Sometimes it was play long, sometimes it was do this or that.

“You can’t do that because you end up getting hammered, and that’s what happened.”