WHEN Swindon convincingly beat Yeovil 3-0 nearly one month ago it felt like Phil Brown’s squad had turned a corner.

This was the result and performance to show this team could be promotion contenders.

But since that wet and windy day in Somerset, Town haven’t won a league game, earning just two points from the following four league games.

With Town sitting 13th in League Two and 10 points away from their ambitions of a top-three place, is it time to panic just yet?

I predict the next two games will be crucial in showing how much this squad wants promotion and if Brown is the man to lead them out of League Two this season.

This Saturday Swindon face David Flitcroft’s Mansfield Town in what promises to be a fiery encounter, hopefully with a returning Lawrence Vigouroux between the sticks.

That is followed by a struggling Cambridge United who visit the County Ground next Tuesday.

If we want to achieve anything in this campaign we have to win our home games, not taking the odd point but all three, which is something we’ve failed to do four out of six home games this season - an unacceptable statistic.

Saturday’s encounter is a huge test for our current boss. If he beats his predecessor fans will give him some time to turn our disappointing season around.

But if he loses this weekend and fails to take all the points against 23rd-placed Cambridge, the tide of fan opinion will be only heading in one direction - and with good reason.

I wasn’t a fan of his appointment on a full-time basis in May but was impressed with the majority of his signings during the summer, especially in midfield with Steven Alzate and Michael Doughty.

Brown has always come across well in interviews as a genuine guy who is working his socks off for our club and I’m really willing the former Hull City boss to turn things around despite my apprehension.

But after being outplayed in every position and worst of all, out-fought away at Exeter last Saturday, he can’t afford two home defeats this coming week.