OPPOSITION fans can be a little churlish, understandably, after they have been thumped 3-0 at home, writes Danny Hall.

But I thought I would check in with a Notts County season ticket holder after Swindon Town’s fabulous win at Meadow Lane on Saturday.

The remarks were heart-warming.

“You passed us off the park and were the best side we have played all season,” said my mole. “Your No.7 (Ben Gladwin) and No.4 (Massimo Luongo) were outstanding.”

Well, we know all about Mass but Gladwin’s display at left wing back in the absence of injured Harry Toffolo was a revelation.

The pair of them were the architects of all three Swindon goals – with County’s hapless stooge Curtis Thompson complicit in all three.

Luongo, who was back to his Premiership-quality best, ghosted past Thompson before setting up Andy Williams’ first strike. It was a trademark new-Swindon goal – keeper Wes Foderingham’s skilful throw to Luongo, an incisive run from the Aussie after which he put Williams clear, and a precise finish. From end to end in a matter of seconds.

Then Gladwin’s mesmerising feet had a dizzy Thompson on the floor before he squared it for Williams to score his second at the back post.

Finally, Gladwin brushed past Thompson (who was withdrawn immediately after the goal to save him from further punishment) before putting the ball into the path of man-of-the-match Luongo.

My County correspondent’s only complaint was the harshness of Liam Noble’s red card and video replays tend to back up that view.

But as my man said, it had no real bearing on the result.

Swindon kept their heads when the game became heated. Typically, though, Kasim picked up another booking which should now result in a ban. Looking at the fixture list, second-placed Town now face a relatively benign three months when they have to play just one top-six side (Sheffield United).

That’s probably just as well with Luongo and Kasim off on Asian Cup duty in January and the prospect of more pudding-like pitches which won’t suit our style of play.

Swindon are sitting pretty 11 points clear of the first team outside the play-offs. But that cushion may be necessary come April when our run-in is horrendous – current top-six sides MK Dons, Bristol City, Rochdale and Preston all have to be played on the run-in. Hopefully, there will be no nasty transfer window surprises in January as agents look for a quick payday. Already fringe centre half Raphael Rossi-Branco appears to have had his head turned in contract extension negotiations, so much so that he appears to have been frozen out of the squad by chairman Lee Power.

There was better news from Power in the wake of his business trip down under with claims of a six-figure sponsorship deal and some links with a company who may be interested in redeveloping the County Ground.

So on and off the field these are exciting times. When County boss Shaun Derry made the point of shaking the hands of a clutch of Swindon players at the end of Saturday’s game you must have done something right.