IT was a relief to get last Saturday’s FA Cup tie out of the way with such a positive result.

In the week leading up to the match, there had been a lot of attention on Hythe.

That made it very difficult from our point of view because it was a no-gain situation for us and everything to gain for them.

But we prepared properly and the players were excellent.

Another home tie in the second round is about as much as we could have asked for.

Of course, it’s difficult that we will now play Lincoln twice in a week but we’ve got a home tie and it is a winnable home tie.

If we can get through that, then we’re in with the big boys in the third round so you don’t need to build the players up too much for it – they will be ready for the game.

At our level, the revenue available is a big thing but it’s not just that.

We have players who want to get on in the game and, if you have a good cup run, then people start to watch.

And when that happens, a player might just get himself a move somewhere.

It’s back to the league on Saturday and a local derby at Edgar Street.

We have a couple of players here, too, who played at Cheltenham – they will obviously be desperate to win the game.

I know their manager Mark Yates quite well so I’ll be keen to get one over on him; he’ll probably feel the same about me so there’s that little bit of bite about it.

But we are in a good vein of form and, thank goodness, we have broken our duck at home so that’s not hanging over us. We can go into the game with a positive attitude.

We’ve got some very important games coming up and it’s tough because the squad’s a bit depleted.

But we’ll have players coming back who will be fresh and will want to be involved.

Yes, we have a few injuries but the positive aspect is that it gives someone else a chance.

Tyler Weir has been knocking on the door for a while; he is a very good player, very comfortable on the ball, as he showed at the weekend, and no-one likes playing against him in training because he is a very good defender. Nicky Featherstone has come in and looked excellent in midfield so that gives us competition for places.

The games coming up are difficult and, while it may be a cliché, they are all difficult in this league. But we are capable of beating anyone in the division at the moment. I’m really enjoying the job, Russell Hoult keeps me laughing and keeps my feet on the ground. And hopefully, if Russell and I are enjoying it, then the players will, too.

Results will, of course, dictate that as well so we’ll be looking to keep in the same form we are in at the moment.