MARK Cooper has issued a rallying cry to the Swindon Town fans ahead of Notts County’s visit to Wiltshire on Saturday.

The Robins’ poor recent run has seen a mood of discontent set in with the supporters across stands, social media and message boards. The players have noticed, notably Wes Foderingham venting his ire on Twitter last week and by accounts at the Town End on Tuesday night.

Cooper understands the frustrations of the supporters. The playing style entrenched by the manager and his staff lends itself to creating fools of its exponents when not executed correctly. In recent weeks mistakes have been more commonplace and must be causing Cooper to paw at his thatch.

Earlier in the season the Town boss said the fans had bought into what he was trying to do, now he is encouraging them not to sell their stake with the promise of a bumper bonus at the end of it.

“(The fans) pay their money, they come and they want to see the players full of desire and hard work,” said Cooper.

“Sometimes when it doesn’t happen they voice their opinion and I fully understand that but these players need their support more than ever.

“If we can create an atmosphere where they feel the fans are fully behind them from the start of the game, that atmosphere the County Ground can create, then I’m sure the players perform better than when there’s an atmosphere where everybody is waiting on them to make a mistake and when they do they jump all over them.

“I do buy into the argument that it’s up to us to give them something to cheer about, I understand that, but we’ve not got many games to go and we’re in a position where we could achieve something special.

“Let’s wait until the end of the season for the criticism or whatever and let’s get everybody behind the team and give them that extra little bit of support that they need at the moment.”

The Swindon Avertiser were not permitted to attend this morning's pre-match press conference.