HOME comfort is not being viewed as a concern by Swindon Town manager Phil Brown as his side get set to welcome National League North outfit York City to the County this afternoon in the first round of the FA Cup (3pm).

Town are without a win at the Energy Check County Ground since September 11, when Michael Doughty’s penalty helped secure a 1-0 success over Newport County in the Checkatrade Trophy.

Lacklustre draws against Oldham Athletic, Northampton Town and Mansfield Town have followed alongside defeats against Bury and Cambridge United.

Such results have led to desperate cries of frustration from the terraces, however, Brown has called for those cries to turn into calls of encouragement – admitting home comforts can be disrupted with pressure from outside influences.

“We’ve done everything we possibly can to make the players feel at home,” said Brown.

“I’ve watched videos of the Open Day and everyone looks fairly comfortable being at the County Ground.

“Sometimes, that comfort can be disrupted with pressure from outside influences.

“The surface demands a decent style of football, and I think we’ve been providing that.”

Having completed a 520-mile trip last Tuesday to watch York face Spennymoor in the National League North, Brown insists Sam Collins’ men must be taken care of.

Jon Parkin – a former player that Brown used to work with at Hull City – has been targeted as City’s main threat, however, a slight knee injury might rule him out of the starting XI.

“When I had him (Parkin) at Hull City, we didn’t quite see eye to eye,” said Brown.

“I loaned him out, he left with my blessing – though I’m not sure what side of the fence he sits on.

“He will need to be taken care of, he’s got a lovely left foot. It’s a danger and we have to be aware of it.

“We’ve done our homework, but the game is about how we play.”