TOWN boss Mark Cooper has admitted he has to be “really boring” to keep his mind focused on the task of maintaining his side’s place near the top of the League One table.

A run of three games without a win before the triumph at Chesterfield on Tuesday had seen the Robins slip to ninth in the table but, after that victory, Cooper and co are back up to third.

It is three months into the season and, if Town were to win their games in hand, they would go within four points off top-placed Bristol City.

Despite this, Cooper is refusing to read too much into the table, at least until the chocolate in advent calendars begins to dwindle.

Cooper’s refusal to push the button marked ‘hype’ is admirable, the manager maintaining that doing so could cause him to lose focus on the immediate challenges in front of him.

“It is an exciting time but I have to be really boring and concentrate on the next game because if I start thinking about the others, I don’t do enough on the next game,” he said.

“We just concentrate on the best way possible for us to get a positive performance on Saturday.

“We’re not even thinking about Tuesday or the following Saturday.

“We’re just thinking about this Saturday, making sure we do everything so we get a performance.

“If you can go from ninth to third (in the table) in 90 minutes then for me, I don’t take too much notice of it yet as it hasn’t settled down.

“After a few more games, once you get towards Christmas, I think you get a real reflection of the table."

However, the County Ground chief’s head is not entirely immersed in the sands of video analysis and touch-screen tactics apps.

He has taken stock of those gathering steam around his side, but feels his short-term approach will have long-term benefits.

“All the big guns are going to be there, they’re getting there,” he added.

“Preston have won seven on the trot; Sheffield United are now starting to move; Bristol City are there; Peterborough are there; MK Dons are there.

“All the teams that you would really expect are up and around it.

“I think what you will see is those bigger teams is starting to put wins and results together.

“If we want to stay there (we have to do the same).”

Tom Bassam brings you Matchday Live from 2pm this afternoon at Stadium: MK. Log on to www. swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport