IT'S been a painstakingly slow week for everyone connected with City – Phil Parkinson especially.

The frustration of the collective no-show against Yeovil has been compounded by the absence of a midweek chance to purge the system.

As welcome as the break has been physically, it has also left too much time to stew on the poorest display to date. The home clash with Swindon can therefore not come soon enough.

Parkinson said: "It's been a long week waiting. I've been counting down the days until 3pm tomorrow.

"For me personally, I didn't think the way we played reflected at all what we've been doing this season.

"We've had all those good games when we've had to go again the next Tuesday. The first real bad one we've had and we've had to dwell on it all week."

Parkinson sat the squad down on Tuesday to show them the match DVD and compared it with the games when City have played to their potential.

"We had a review of the season, which was interesting," he said.

"We've conceded early goals in games before and, when that does happen, we've stuck to how we've been playing. But last week we went away from that and it became a disjointed performance.

"I never really felt we would get back in the game playing like that.

"We've got to remember that Yeovil were a team that have just come down from the Championship. They also played extremely well on the day.

"We've moved on from that and now we're looking for a response from everybody – and that's the supporters as well."

A muted Valley Parade reflected City's performance last week but Parkinson is confident that the place will be rocking again for the visit of Mark Cooper's side.

He said: "I'm sure our fans will get behind the lads and be really positive again. We've had a bit of a setback but the general overview is still good.

"I've sensed the lads have been frustrated this week, which is a good sign. We've got to keep confidence levels high.

"We've had some tremendous games, even at this early stage. We've had a bad one but that happens.

"I can remember being 4-2 down to Rochdale at home during the promotion season. I can remember games against Rotherham, as well as Exeter away. Those type of performances can happen to anyone – even the top clubs."

Swindon have not played for a fortnight as they had last weekend free because of international call-ups.

Parkinson said: "They are similar to Coventry, playing the three at the back and rolling the ball out, which they are good at.

"Swindon have done well in the loan market over the years and are trying to do that again.

"They've also just spent a bit of money on Jonathan Obika, which obviously gives them decent attacking options. But for me, tomorrow's game is all about us getting back to what we're good at."