A SUCCESSFUL season will qualify as staying in League One for next term, according to Swindon Town striker Brett Pitman.

The Town forward admitted he predicted the season would look vastly different to how it has turned out – anticipating Swindon would be fighting for a play-off spot when he signed under Richie Wellens last summer.

However, Pitman’s dream has turned into something of a nightmare, and the veteran striker is now tasked with scoring the goals to keep his side in English football’s third tier as he attempts to avoid a third career relegation.

Having experienced the drop with AFC Bournemouth and Bristol City earlier previously, Pitman knows what it takes to avoid the drop but says the whole squad must pull together and play their part in the final 18 games of the season.

He said: “I am surprised with where we’ve ended up. When I signed at the start of the season, I thought we’d have a really successful season.

“Obviously now, success is going to look slightly different to what I thought it would do at the start of the season. Success now is staying up, let’s not dress it up any differently, staying in League One is success now.

“There are a lot of variables and reasons why we’re down there, but ultimately we haven’t been good enough on the pitch.

“We’ve got to hold our hands up, but luckily we’ve got enough games to put it right as much as we can do.”

If Town are to stay up, new signings Christopher Missilou and Jordon Garrick will potentially have big parts to play.

The midfield destroyer impressed Pitman against Portsmouth in his first start while Garrick can improve once the Town players fully understand how to get the best out of the on-loan Swansea City man, according to the 33-year-old.

Town’s experienced striker is hopeful he can increase his goal tally once Garrick starts to create chances on a regular basis.

Pitman said: “Christopher was excellent against Portsmouth. He’s not somebody who’s going to create loads of chances as he’s a totally different player, – he’s more of a defensive midfielder – but I thought he was excellent.

“Jordon is a very interesting player, he is quick, very direct. I think we’ve got to use him better than we have, especially against Portsmouth.

“We’ve got to get used to how he wants to play, giving him balls for him to run onto as opposed to balls into him. Once we get that understanding, I think he’ll be a big asset for us going forward.”