Colchester United manager John Ward has warned struggling Swindon Town will be no pushovers this afternoon.

The U's play host to a Robins side who arrive at the Weston Homes Community Stadium in the bottom four in League One, following a run of eight games without a win.

Colchester have won their last two home games against teams above them but boss Ward knows beating Swindon will not be an easy task.

Ward said: “Our players need to know that it won’t be a comfortable afternoon and they will be a tough game to beat, no question “The league is such that games can be won and lost by anybody.

“I saw Swindon lose at Leyton Orient on Tuesday night but it certainly wasn’t a 3-0 scoreline.

“They probably had more shots and crosses than Leyton Orient in the game.

“If you see the scoreline you think it was a bit of a beating but it absolutely wasn’t.

“The Leyton Orient goalkeeper was arguably their best player on the night.

“Swindon have too many good players to be a bottom four team."

Swindon missed out on promotion last season, after losing in the play-off final.

Since then, they have lost some of their most influential players, such as Billy Paynter and Charlie Austin.

However, U's boss Ward feels his Swindon counterpart Danny Wilson can turn things around - after today's game.

“I’ve been there myself - when you’ve not won promotion, you’re not sure how people are going to react," said Ward, who suffered defeat in the 2008 League One play-offs with Carlisle United.

“There’s always a bit of a hangover.

“Swindon have sold arguably their best players and they’re trying to rebuild their team.

“Clubs like ourselves tend to lose their best players and it’s up to us to replace them.

“I hope that they stay with Danny (Wilson) because he’s a good manager and a good man.

“If anyone can pull them around, he can.

“They’ve brought in a couple of new players like the lad from Spurs (Jon Obika) and Danny is trying to replace those goalscorers.

“I’d rather Danny went nine games without a win and then won his next two games.

“They have some good players and a good bench, with strength to the team.

“They look like a strong squad and I’m surprised they’re down there."

Visit the Gazette website for a report and reaction to today's game and see Monday's Gazette for all of the latest Colchester United news.