IT'S a big, big weekend for the club with two huge games in the space of 72 hours.

Firstly we face Hinckley United at St George's Lane followed by Monday's visit of Crawley Town.

Tempting as it is to think about the 'what ifs' regarding our league position if we take six points from both games, I'm just concentrating on Hinckley for the moment.

The next game is always the most important and Dean Thomas' side command respect because they managed to do what we failed to achieve -- win at Crawley.

Paul Carty and Darren Middleton are both suspended so we will be stretched somewhat and non of our long-term injury victims will be available.

It seems to be our luck that when anyone gets injured that instead of being ruled out for a week or two it tends to be months.

Fortunately John Snape should be available after overcoming a groin strain which has restricted him to consecutive substitute appearances.

He's been an important figure for us but in truth there have been contributions from everybody and you put those together and you get performances like we had at Hastings and against Aldershot.

One player who put in a good display on Saturday was Jon Holloway and I was pleased the St George's Lane crowd could see what he can do in midfield.

I always knew what he could do in that position but last year he didn't deliver but against Aldershot and Hastings we've seen the best of him and the Jon Holloway that played for Bath City and so magnetised us to try and sign him.

It was a good cup tie against Aldershot with a great atmosphere and for once a big game went our way and it's given us confidence.

There is an increased level of belief about what we can do and what we can achieve.

Having got off to a good start to the season we set ourselves the task of maintaining that progress for the middle period of the campaign and I think we have got a chance of sustaining it -- I really do.

We've had some plaudits and nice comments lately and from a manager's point of view that is great, though I always think you're never quite as good or as bad as they say you are.

We are somewhere in between but I must say having got ourselves into this position where we hoped we would be, but perhaps realistically thought was a long shot, then I think the contender's tag is fair comment and sits comfortably on our shoulders.

Finally it was great to see some of the players from the 1983 FA Cup side, especially Kevin Tudor, what I wouldn't give for another player like him.

Talking to Gary Wright who has seen us two or three times he thinks we have improved and that has to be our aim each match to get better.