SWINDON are staring down the barrel of relegation and have just seven weeks of the season left to retain their League One status for another year. So, with 10 games to go sports writer ANTHONY MARSHALL takes a look at 10 reason why Town can avoid the drop.

1. Simon Cox’s goals: The front man may have dried up a bit in recent weeks, but with 20 goals already to his name this season if anyone is going to fire Town out of trouble, it will be Cox.

2. Relegation rivals still to play: Fixtures remaining against Hereford, Northampton, Yeovil, Crewe, Brighton, Leyton Orient and Carlisle are all must-win games. If Town can pick up wins in at least half of these then they will drag themselves towards safety, at the expense of their opponents.

3. Danny Wilson: The boss has a wealth of experience in this division with Bristol City, Milton Keynes Dons and Hartlepool. While at MK, he successfully won a League One relegation battle and can draw on that as inspiration for this season’s fight.

4. Contracts expiring: Fifteen players, including a number of first team regulars, are out of contract in the summer. Whether their future lies at the County Ground or elsewhere, they should be playing to secure their careers for the next few years.

5. The County Ground crowd: With five home games still to play, Town’s fans can play a huge part in shaping their season. The atmosphere at the County Ground is noticeably different to when Maurice Malpas was in charge and the supporters could well be in the difference in some crucial fixtures.

6. Draws into wins: Town have drawn more games in League One than any other side, mainly because of their inability to kill opposing teams off. If they can put away their chances when on top then the wins Swindon crave so desperately will not be far away.

7. Due a bit of good luck: On far too many occasions Town have been minutes away from victory only to see it snatched away from them. Add to that, defensive cock-ups, goalkeeping howlers and terrible refereeing, and they are surely soon to get the rub of the green which has deserted them all season.

8. Gordon Greer: Question marks were raised when Danny Wilson brought Greer in on loan. The Scot, however, made an instant impression at the County Ground, and is a true leader, strong in the tackle, good in the air and comfortable with the ball at his feet. It is no surprise Town’s defence has looked much harder to break down since his arrival.

9. Creativity: In Anthony McNamee and Hal Robson-Kanu, Swindon have two wingers to be feared on their day. If their service is up to scratch, Billy Paytner and Simon Cox could have a field day in front of goal.

10. Simply good enough: Make no bones about it, there is more than enough quality in Town’s squad to survive. For whatever reason, the players have massively under-performed but it is a group of players who, on ability alone, should not be struggling at the wrong end of the league. If they can start to show it on the pitch then they will stay up.