The most important two or three successive matches in our history

In my opinion, it's as simple as that. Friday's Swindon away leg is not in itself a critical game but the result could heavily influence the shape of the home leg and, ultimately, our chances of making Wembley. We have won through to Wembley in the play-offs of course, once before, when the prize was far bigger but the consequences of losing were nothing like as potentially fatal as they are now.

Failure to gain promotion this season will lead to another round of dramatic cost cutting and the current squad will be shorn of it's best players and replaced with  low cost alternatives, likely to be non-league and youngsters who will need time to bond and even longer to develop. It makes next season in League One a huge challenge and we would do well to compete in mid-table. Revenues would fall further and the downward spiral would most likely continue with who-knows-what perils lurking in the shadows.

Swindon will bring a windfall of c £750,000 but we could add another £1m to that by getting to Wembley. Ironically, a total not a million pounds away from that recouped for Jonjo Shelvey. The prize for promotion may not be the fabulous riches of the Premier League but it has to be measured against the cost of failing to go up which accentuates the difference significantly.  

We might not like it, but promotion via the play-offs is the dream ticket for Richard Murray. He knows that his chances of extricating himself successfully and delivering the club into a safer financial future will be enhanced immeasurably if he is selling a Championship club on the up.

Promotion really could prove to be our salvation. I am pleased to report that fate has smiled on me and I have managed to get my hands on a hot spare, so will continue my 100% play-off attendance record on Friday and I'm really up for it.

COME ON YOU REDDSSSSS!