DAN THE FAN: Reinforcements could be deciding factor (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

DAN THE FAN: Reinforcements could be deciding factor

2:30pm Thursday 21st March 2013 in Football

AS JAMES Collins flung his shirt in the air and did his best Mario Balotelli impression at Yeovil on Tuesday night, a huge sigh of relief could be heard from Town fans.

A tenth away win of the season – Collins’ goal securing a 2-0 win – has moved Kevin MacDonald’s side into third place, just two points from the summit of League One.

The players responded to last week’s defeat by Brentford in the best possible way, staying focused defensively and not letting Yeovil get a foothold in the game.

With the matches coming thick and fast, recruitments are essential and I’d go as far as saying that it’ll be a fatal blow to our promotion chances if we don’t add some fresh impetus to the squad.

A lot of our promotion rivals rely on the loan market – Doncaster have five loanees, Brentford and Tranmere have six – but Town still have a huge weight on their shoulders.

With the loan window slamming shut next Thursday, Jed McCrory and the board know that time isn’t on their side to lift the current transfer embargo.

Due to circumstances that I’m sure will come out in the near future, they have been unable to lift the embargo.

At the end of a busy season, player fatigue and injures become more regular and, as mentioned, a winger and striker are the positions that need the most attention.

Thankfully Nathan Thompson hasn’t shown any signs of fatigue and was by far the best player against Yeovil.

The former youth teamer has been a revelation this season and, despite being asked to work harder due to our new tactics, has firmly established himself as a first team player.

With his contract coming to an end this summer, its imperative that he is signed up to a new deal.

Recent rumours were that Millwall were looking at offering him a deal in the summer.

Normally when a side is aiming for promotion, winning your home games should come naturally and anything you earn away is a bonus, but this season Swindon have decided to be unconventional.

On Saturday it will be nine weeks since Town won a home game, a 2-0 win over Shrewsbury.

Yet we’ve only lost one game on the road out of the last nine – an incredible record that has given us a chance of promotion this season.

Outsiders Notts County visit on Saturday and, lying six point from the play-offs, know a point won’t be enough.

Despite our poor home form, Tuesday night will act as a massive boost for Town and will hopefully help clear that home sickness.

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