Swindon Town v Barnsley: Marc Roberts believes Reds can make a late push

The Reds have won five successive League One games and sit just seven points off the play-off places.

They are above today’s hosts Swindon, who reached the play-off final last season, and are outsiders for a late promotion charge.

Defender Marc Roberts believes their recent success has been due to the players sticking together despite a run of eight successive league defeats in October-November.

“The mood is no different, in football you just need a bit of luck on your side and in the past we haven’t had that,” he said.

“Nothing has changed, we’ve done the same things in training and the atmosphere with the lads is the same so I can’t really put my finger on it. It’s just about taking our chances on the day.

“I know there’s always ups and downs in football but if we keep this up you never know. There’s always that one team who makes a late push for it and I don’t see why we can’t be that team.

“I think the big thing has been sticking together. The main thing is the character of the lads, we’ve stuck together through the hard times and it is now coming good.”

Barnsley will include Jak McCourt, the 20-year-old midfielder who signed from Leicester City yesterday for an undisclosed fee.

McCourt said: “I’m delighted to join Barnsley. It’s a massive club and I can’t wait to get started. I want to help the club get to where it wants to be.

“I like tough tackling and to get on the ball and play football, so hopefully I can get started soon.”

Last six: Swindon WLLWWD Barnsley WWDWWW.

Referee: T Robinson (W Sussex).

Last time: Swindon 2 Barnsley 0, February 7 2015, League One.