ANDY HOLDSWORTH hailed the input of Rob Page as Town set their sights on a fourth successive clean sheet and a win at home to Swindon on Saturday.
Andy Ritchie’s side chalked up a quartet of consecutive victories earlier this season, beating Port Vale, Hartlepool, Accrington (in the FA Cup) and Swansea.
But not since March and April 2000 have they shut out four sides on the spin (Crewe, Grimsby, Birmingham and Charlton in what is now the Championship).
Equalling that mark is the next challenge for former Coventry and Wales centre-back Page and his teammates.
And Holdsworth reckons that if Town can match their workrate in the three games Page has played so far – against Oldham (1-0 in the FA Cup), Bournemouth (1-0) and Yeovil (2-0) – they have every chance.
"We’ve been playing better of late, but nobody’s getting carried away, because it’s been such an inconsistent season," said the talented midfielder.
"It’s a case of taking each match as it comes and being ready to do the kind of nitty-gritty stuff which lays the platform for clean sheets and victories.
"Keeping clean sheets gives you a great chance of winning football matches, and Rob Page has been a big influence since his arrival.
"To say he’s not played that much first-team football this season, he’s been outstanding since coming here.
"He’s not only a very solid player but a natural leader too, and when you’re out on the pitch, he stands out a mile with his talking and organisation.
"When you’ve got the likes of Frank Sinclair, Jon Worthington and Andy Booth involved as well, that’s a lot of experience and a lot of leaders."
Maurice Malpas’s Swindon come to the Galpharm aiming to make it 10 League I matches without defeat.
Town Reserves’ match at Walsall was postponed for a second time yesterday because of waterlogging.
Meanwhile, Town opened for business today with only 203 Chelsea tickets left for sale.
