Curle reveals the key to stopping Swindon's red-hot strike force

Cutting down the supply line to Swindon's in-form strike force will be key to keeping them quiet in tonight's Sky Bet League Two fixture, says Cobblers manager Keith Curle.

Only Crewe Alexandra (57) and Peterborough United (60) have scored more than Swindon's 56 goals across the EFL this season, 23 of which have been netted by Eoin Doyle.

Jerry Yates, who looks likely to miss the game through injury this evening, has contributed another 12 while Swindon also snapped up Hallam Hope from Carlisle United last month.

It's a formidable front line, arguably the strongest in the division, but Curle is confident his side can keep them quiet tonight, providing they cut off the supply line.

"We approach the game exactly the same," he said. "We've got a way of how we want to defend, individually and collectively as a unit, and if you allow them good possession of the ball and entries into the final third, they can cause you problems with their firepower.

"But any good forward player needs a supply line, so you can try and vary their supply or stop their supply. They won't become passengers as such but if they haven't got the ball they won't be a goal threat.

"They've got plenty of other good players and they have a way of playing that's brought them success and I don't see them changing their mindset.

"They know they face a different challenge against us than probably what they faced at Carlisle on Saturday where it was more open and more expansive.

"They know they will have to defend their box very well and get men on the ball to stop our supply line but they can be creative from their set-pieces and they've got good movement, good technicians and good delivery into the box."

Swindon have topped the table since November but other teams have slowly been closing the gap with Crewe two points behind and Exeter a further one. Cobblers trail the Robins by eight points with a game in hand.

"They've got some good players and the challenge that faces us is stopping them from playing how they want to and imposing ourselves on the game," Curle added.

"We need to earn the right for how we want to play but there's also a level of respect because they have good players and they do pass and move the ball well.

"They've got good forward momentum and obviously they've got goals in their team."