ANDY KING has challenged his players to produce a set of festive results which prevent a play-off 'gap' becoming a yawning chasm.

The Town boss will switch to a 4-4-2 system at Griffin Park today as he looks to halt a recent slump.

Abandoning the 3-5-2 means disappointment for those who will be a victim of the change but King is not afraid of shuffling his pack.

The most likely scenario today will see Jerel Ifil and Matty Heywood occupying the two central defensive roles with Andy Gurney switching to right-back and David Duke and Andy Nicholas contesting the other flank.

King said: "I think there will be possibly two changes for this game.

"The one thing I've made clear to the players is that with my decision to make changes for this match it starts the ball rolling for me in terms of being able to do it again.

"It tells them that they'd better perform or I'll change things again.

"I hope making the changes has the effect I want.

"I don't think anyone is playing to their true potential at the moment.

"There is clearly a bit of confidence lacking. We need to get back to where we were earlier in the campaign.

"What I have now are choices with everyone fit.

"Brentford caught us cold in the first 15 minutes at their place last season and I won't accept a repeat of that.

"Wally Downes hasn't got a team full of stars but what he does have is a side brimming with commitment, effort and that work ethic.

"We have to make sure we match that.

"It is a difficult place to go but I still have great belief in my side. We just need that little bit of luck and maybe that first goal which gives the confidence to go on and win the game."

King feels the first win after a bad run is always the most difficult to achieve.

He said: "We need an unbeaten run of games.

"The ideal Christmas present would be 12 points, but the realistic target if you like, has to be eight.

"Once you get that first one, the others generally become that bit easier.

"But first thing's first. I want a win at Brentford to prevent it being a miserable Christmas for me until we get to Boxing Day."

As for the league table, King knows it is important to keep the top six within view.

He said: "We need to stay among the pack. We don't want to be in a situation where we need to put a late run of 15 unbeaten games together in order to nick a play-off place.

"We are five points behind where we want to be at the moment. It gives us an opportunity to catch up.

"What I don't want is to see that gap grow to the extent that we need four results on the bounce and also hope that others slip up."

Tickets are now on sale for the County Ground clash with Brighton on Sunday, December 28. Further details on 0870 4431894.