SATURDAY'S win over Gravesend & Northfleet takes us to the half-way point in the season and, at third in the table, I'm reasonably satisfied with way things have gone.

We have to emphasise again that we lost five players at the end of, or during, last season and they were obviously five of our better players because they got fixed up with league clubs.

It would also be fair to say that one or two of the real stalwarts of last season had not had the best of starts this time around, certainly not showing the form that they showed through last year.

We accept that we are a long way behind Barnet but, after Saturday, there could be a sign that they may be about to begin a wobbly patch.

Over the last few weeks, the players have really shown what they can do as we have adjusted training, especially the weights sessions that we do, and there have been a lot of encouraging signs.

It was a disappointment to go out of the FA Cup, it was one of the lapses over recent weeks where I didn't think we played particularly well and didn't deserve anything out of the game.

But it's quite an achievement to be in the area semi-finals of the LDV Vans Trophy. Some clubs treat the competition fairly lightly in the early stages, but it can be difficult playing against young, enthusiastic and eager players who want to prove a point. Blackpool, however, as holders were desperate to get through and I thought that was one of the best games we've had at Edgar Street for a long time.

There are 19 players in our squad with a nice blend of experience and youth with plenty of competition for places. But any manager will tell you he wants to strengthen the side and that has not changed for us. There are, though, criteria for any players we want to bring into the club. As well as the ability to play the game and good character references from wherever he has been, you also have to pick someone who will gel with the current staff.

I believe that there is a nice spirit developing among the players. You can sense it on the training ground and you like a bit of banter, a bit of laughter but when we get serious on the work they have to do, they really get focused into what's being asked of them.

I wish you all a happy Christmas and a successful New Year.