DAN THE FAN: Now Town must prove themselves against division’s lesser lights

When the season kicked off in August no one predicted that Town would be sitting so close to the top of the table in late November.

Even more remarkable has been recent results, taking maximum points from promotion favourites Preston, Bristol City and Peterborough.

But strangely Town’s biggest problem will come this weekend when we welcome Fleetwood Town for the first ever meeting between the two sides in any competition.

If you’ve watched Town over the years you’ll know one of the most irritating traditions they have seemed to hold onto is an ability to underperform against the worst sides in the division.

The perfect example was in late October when at the County Ground we only took one point from a possible six against Rochdale and Colchester.

If Town can turn around this trend, there is no reason why this current form and league position can’t last a lot longer.

This week we've seen the club extend Harry Toffolo's loan deal to the end of the season.

This is another great piece of business from Town in a season where player recruitment has been hugely successful.

After a shaky start to his loan spell, the Norwich fullback has found his feet in a new position.

After losing Brad Smith, it's taken a while to find someone to come in and play at the same standard.

Amari’i Bell started well but has faded badly in recent weeks, while Toffolo has taken his place in the team and has thrived.

Last week midfielder Ryan Harley finally left the club after being told he had no future at Town during the summer.

Harley has enjoyed a successful career, but for some reason, he was never able to recreate his best former for Swindon.

This now just leaves Darren Ward sitting in the stands on matchdays knowing he needs to move on to secure first team football.

It looks like Ward’s last ever game for Town will be the night Wolves came to the County Ground and humiliated Mark Cooper’s side.

I agree that Darren shouldn’t be in the starting line-up, but with Cooper not able to put a defender on the bench last Saturday, and while the club is still paying his wages, why not put him in the matchday squad?

Looking at a player at the other end of their career, Town youth scholar Lee Marshall has put pen to paper and signed his first professional contract.

After watching the Thompson Bros come into the first team in recent years from the youth set-up, it’s exciting to see more talent from that team start to make their way into the first team fold.

Follow me on Twitter @danwjonson

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