MARK DEVLIN is refusing to press the 'panic button' but admits Town's miserable run of form will not be allowed to continue indefinitely.

Steve Coppell was due to lead his first training session this morning, after which the former Brentford boss and Town manager Andy King were expected to meet Devlin for an informal 'chat' about the way ahead.

The official line is that King remains the man at the helm and that the 'Coppell effect' must be given time to work.

Devlin said: "There is no question of this board burying its head in the sand.

"We need to give Andy and Steve the chance to work together.

"So far the only time they have had was two hours before kick off at Cheltenham.

"Andy is not a quitter and he has made a bold move in bringing in such a high profile figure. To me it is a sign of strength not weakness.

"However, Andy knows the pressure is building. You can't escape from that.

"I don't want to build Saturday's match up as a do or die game but of course it is an important game.

"But we as a board believe Andy, with Steve's help, can turn things around.

"Last year, he took us to 13th place, which for a club which was in as much disarray as this one, was an achievement."

But despite retaining faith in his manager, Devlin is also realistic.

He said: "We as a board know that we cannot afford to see attendances dropping off and that results do have an effect on other areas of the club."

Devlin also knows that supporters have seen Coppell arrive, added two and two together and come up with seven.

He said: "We have not spoken to Steve Coppell about the manager's job, we have just ratified Andy's decision to bring him here to help.

"Steve is here on a short-term basis and has made it clear he is leaving his options open."

Devlin is concerned that growing numbers of fans are turning on the manager.

"I entirely understand the frustration of supporters but I just hope they respond positively on Saturday.

"If the crowd is calling for the manager's head 10 minutes into a game, it is not going to help the players get the result we all want.

"They feel the manager's burden and their confidence levels are hardly likely to rise."

However, much as Devlin and his fellow directors would like the supporters to get behind their team and their manager, he said if the time came when difficult decisions had to be made, there would be no shirking from the task.

He said: "This board has to worry about the long-term future of Swindon Town.

"We will not be rushed into making any rash decisions but that is not to say that we will not act when we think it is in the best interests of Swindon Town Football Club."