LOUIS Thompson believes the next month could be the defining point in Town’s season.

Having had an 11-day break due to international call-ups, Town now face six games in 18 days.

After that, the intensity eases in terms of workload but the assignments get no easier.

Swindon face table-toppers Bristol City, second-placed Peterborough and big-spending Fleetwood Town before November is out.

With that in mind, Mark Cooper and his backroom staff have worked on an off-field plan tailored towards maintaining fitness across that period, with rest given equal weighting to match preparation.

As he prepares to embark on a spell that will test his body to the limit, Thompson understands the challenge and feels suitably ready.

“I think the rest of this month and November will be very tough. It could define our season,” he told the Advertiser.

“It might not but we’d like to pick up as many points as we can. So rest is just as important as training and I think our coaching staff have got the balance just right.

“Mike Cooper (fitness coach), the physio, the manager, Luke (Williams); they’ve had their discussions and come up with what’s best for the boys. I think they’ve done extremely well in that.

“From a personal point of view, I feel rested and ready to go. I think it’s important that you don’t go into these games feeling jaded when you’ve had an opportunity to be rested.

“This league’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon. When you have the opportunities to rest, like international breaks, it’s important that you take them.

“I think that will keep performance levels as high as they possibly can be.

“When people are going into games tired or a bit leggy, that’s when performances start slipping and injuries can happen.

“Like I said, rest is just as important and I think (the coaching staff) have done very well in the progamme they’ve put together.”