PHIL Brown admits he cannot afford the points gap separating Swindon Town from themselves and the play-off frame to increase much more, adding that is side are behind schedule ahead of tonight’s League Two home tie against Cambridge United.

A winless League Two streak stretching back almost five weeks has jeopardised Town’s chance to establish an early foothold in the table – instead just three points from their last five games have dropped the club 12th in the table.

Visitors Cambridge also find themselves struggling to match the expectation of the terraces.

Joe Dunne’s men have totalled only nine points from their opening 14 fixtures, performances that have dropped them into the relegation zone.

While Brown insists his side are not ‘far off’ from being what he considers a good second division team, the SN1 boss concedes his men must be prepared for every challenge that League Two will throw at them.

He said: “I don’t think we’re far off from being a good team, but you have to piece together a jigsaw in a slow – but sure – way, it can’t happen overnight.

“I’m delighted with the strides we’ve made regarding the turnover we had this summer. But we’re behind on schedule when we look at where we want to be at the end of the season.

“And we can’t let that get too far. I was expecting six points (from the two home games) and now four are available.

“Anyone can beat anyone in this division, we’ve got to be prepared for anything.”

Team changes will be forced upon Brown for tonight’s game with Sid Nelson (suspension) set to miss out.

Nelson’s absence opens the door for former Chelsea man Dion Conroy, who missed out on featuring in Brown’s list of 18 on Saturday – the Town boss instead opting to bench Luke Woolfenden.

While his decision naturally was met by disappointment from the 22-year-old, Brown underlined his belief that players cannot be picked on merit – that includes influential winger Matt Taylor.

He said: “Football quickly turns around, Dion (Conroy) wants to play football and kick start his career.

“You can’t just put him in because he’s ex-Chelsea, just like I don’t play Matt Taylor because he’s a coach.

“I play the best players available to me in each position. It’s getting that blend.”