AFTER the Mayan prophecy of the end of the world failed to materialise, Swindon Town manager Paolo Di Canio has said that a positive energy has engulfed the County Ground.

The ancient South American civilisation’s calendar came to a conclusion on December 21, giving some the ammunition to suggest that the date spelt Doomsday for humankind.

As it was, Tranmere were on the end of an apocalyptic drubbing as Di Canio’s men romped past the league leaders 5-0 – and from that moment the Robins boss has sensed a shift in attitude around the club.

Di Canio, whose Pagan beliefs give great significance to the passing of the summer and winter solstices, said: “The night of the 21st I had the solstice and something changed.

“The Mayans weren’t good to predict the end of the world but you never know in the future, but some energy changed.

“I have some frustration that they cancelled the game (at Colchester) but I have turned it straight away into a positive.

“The 21st changed my brain a bit and gave a positive start, but it will be crucial to start well straight away.

“The first win is crucial.

“You can draw the first one and win the second one and it terms of points it doesn’t change anything, but it’s better to win the first one.”

Di Canio is desperate to see his team defeat Portsmouth in their first game of 2013 on New Year’s Day, as he feels victory will set the Robins up perfectly for a promotion charge.

“If we win the first one we can start a very positive chain because after the first one we have Carlisle and then Bournemouth and then Shrewsbury,” he said.

“The next four games, where we play three at home and one away, will decide in my opinion our team.

“Some will say there are still 19 games to go and it is hard to predict, I know my players and I know my team.

“If we can have eight or nine points I can tell you, until the end, we are with you.”