AFTER accepting the challenge to lead Town back into League One over his 10 games as Swindon manager, Phil Brown made the perfect start in Cambridge as his back-to-basics approach worked wonders at the Abbey Stadium.

Out went the 5-3-2 system and in came the classic 4-4-2 - and as a result we saw the return of talented on-loan full-back Chris Hussey.

Despite not playing any competitive football for six months, it took the Sheffield United man only 15 minutes to make an impact as he set up Luke Norris for the opening goal of the game.

Having a player with Hussey’s ability back after such a long lay-off feels like a new signing, and a much needed breath of fresh air back into a squad that had been going through the motions.

If he can stay injury-free he will become a key player for the remaining nine games of the season.

It was also a relief to see Norris back on the scoresheet after a run of 10 games without a goal.

It was encouraging to see him nicely finish the opener last Saturday.

Going forward, it will be interesting to see if the new manager sticks with the Marc Richards and Norris partnership with two talented strikers in Keshi Anderson and Kaiyne Woolery chomping at the bit to play alongside Richards.

Some may point to a lack of goals between them this season, but this can easily be explained as neither striker has been given a fair shout up front.

Anderson was mainly playing behind the front man and Woolery never given a decent run in the team by former manager David Flitcroft.

Over the next few weeks I hope Brown will give both these talented players a chance, as if he does, he won’t regret it.

This weekend Town are on the road again as they travel down the M5 to St James Park where they face fellow promotion hopefuls Exeter City.

This is a huge game for both clubs as neither can afford to slip up so late in the season.

Despite our obvious weaknesses at the back I’m confident our talent out wide (especially on the left) and up front will lead us towards all three points and a place back in the play-off places.