With an eleven point gap between Swindon and 7th place Colchester, even if worst came to the worst and Town were to lose on Saturday, I’m still feeling confident that a play-off place is all-but secured.

Now then…a few weeks ago after our defeats to both Bristol Rovers and MK Dons, I had written-off any chance of Swindon fighting for 2nd place. Low and behold after a culmination of our resolve and Leeds’ terrible form (just 4 league wins in 2010) we now sit in 2nd place behind Norwich City and 1 point ahead of 3rd place Millwall. What do I know! So, now with automatic promotion in our hands, we have it only to lose.

Norwich have the league sown-up. I believe it is between Swindon, Millwall, Leeds Utd and Charlton for 2nd place. Whilst Huddersfield have been good as of late, 6 points is too great a gap with 6 games to go and they should be content with fighting off Colchester, Bristol Rovers and Southampton for the play-offs. Although I’d like to think Huddersfield’s 2-0 win over Oldham last night puts both Bristol Rovers (7 points adrift) and Southampton (11 points and 1 game in hand) too far behind Huddersfield in the chase.

With six games to go for 2nd place chasers Swindon, Millwall, Leeds Utd and Charlton here are the remaining fixtures:

Swindon – Whilst the Colchester, Exeter, Walsall and Wycombe games all seem winnable, it is worth remembering the results in the corresponding fixtures back in September where we drew all four games 1-1. Of course this was B.A. (Before Austin) and before the team fully gelled, so I’d be fairly confident with Town now in-form that we will survive these games undefeated and gain at least 10 points. As for the Brentford game, they are mid-table and with nothing to play for so I can only see a home win. Then comes the crucial game away at Millwall and whilst I really want to be confident, Swindon’s league form at Millwall is very poor with only 4 wins and 17 draws from 41 played. I’m letting the statistics talk.

Millwall – Perhaps an equally straightforward final 6 games as Swindon.  Two games, Huddersfield away and Swindon at home, are going to cause Kenny Jackett’s men some problems, but I expect them to finish strongly.

Leeds Utd – A difficult run-in with a ‘local derby’ away at Carlisle, an away tie at in-form home team Gillingham and against fellow promotion chasers Charlton. Leeds’ away win at Yeovil was far from convincing and I still see them dropping points, perhaps finishing in 4th position.

Charlton – The most difficult final six games with four games against fellow promotion chasers and two games away at relegation threatened Exeter and Oldham where I expect they will drop points.  I can’t see Charlton picking up too many points from these six, but enough to finish in 6th place as I see them being overtaken by Huddersfield.

I’m confident it is between Swindon and Millwall for 2nd place and looking forward to visiting the New Den to support Town to overcome the odds and claim a vital win.  Come on You Reds!