Danny Wilson's job as manager of Swindon Town hangs by the flimsiest of threads – and the visit of relegation rivals Tranmere Rovers tonight could be his last game in charge.
The former Bristol City boss is presiding over a depressing sequence of results which have taken Swindon from promotion contenders to fifth from bottom in a matter of weeks.
Swindon fans are calling for his head in increasing numbers, especially since the demoralising npower League One defeat to local rivals Bristol Rovers on Saturday.
Their overwhelming choice is Gary Johnson, which would see one ex-Bristol City manager replace another. But Swindon chairman Andrew Fitton has backed Wilson, who took over two years ago and last season guided the team to the League One play-offs final at Wembley.
Fitton said: "I have no doubts about Danny. I believe we have in him one of the best managers in the League and I will not react in a knee-jerk fashion and sack him for the sake of it.''
Swindon's demise has been spectacular since the turn of the year, with defeats by Bournemouth, Oldham Athletic and Yeovil Town.
All that has kept Swindon alive and hopeful was a 4-2 win at Charlton Athletic, just about the club's best result of the season and one which underlined the club's potential.
Wilson said: "To get four goals at Charlton, who are one of the best teams in the League, was a great achievement and shows that we have a decent team and some good players here.
"At the moment we are being undermined by defensive mistakes, some of them so basic. We just seem to switch off at a time when we are looking the better team.
"I have no intention of walking away. We are only halfway through the season and there is a long way to go.
"I can understand the frustration of the fans. They don't like to see us giving away goals like we did to Bristol Rovers.
"But I can assure them they are no more frustrated and disappointed than I am. We will be doing everything we can to rectify the problems against Tranmere.''
Wilson's defensive options have been reduced by the enforced sale of the promising Sean Morrison to Reading for �250,000, another blow to morale.
Fans point to the club's inability to find a replacement for last season's captain and defensive hard man Gordon Greer, who went to Brighton for a similar fee.
The problems for Swindon lie in the heart of the defence, where Scott Cuthbert and Lescinel Jean-Francois struggled against Bristol Rovers.
Experienced Andy Frampton arrived from Millwall on loan but has been beset by injuries and Wilson might turn again to the transfer market to halt the goal glut.
Wilson said: "Of course I want to bring in players. I have made numerous enquiries for players but getting the right ones at the right price is not always easy to get together.
"No one needs tell me where we are going wrong, and I will be working hard to get it right.''
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