BOTTOM of the table Salisbury visit St George's Lane on Saturday and al-though many people may see it as three points in the bag -- it doesn't always work like that.

Come 3pm it's 11 against 11 and Salisbury will want to win just as badly as we do and their need for points is even more pressing given their position in the Dr Martens Premier.

When you play teams near the bottom after New Year it becomes a much harder fixture than it was way back in August. They are battling for every point and are not going to lie down and give in easily.

This really is a tough one and we will not be underestimating them.

As usual I will not have a full squad to choose from, but after 20- odd games I'm getting used to that and indeed, if and when we do have a full deck to choose from, it will feel really strange.

One choice I do have to make is at goalkeeper where Danny McDonnell is back in contention after missing the last two games.

It's good for the club that we have got two talented 'keepers and I'm sure Paul Wyatt won't mind me saying that Danny is the number one at the moment but Paul is certainly piling on the pressure.

Both have benefited from working with John Newman and I've had absolutely no hesitation in picking Paul. He's still young and his best years are still to come.

The Christmas and New Year period is traditionally one of the busiest times for football clubs but the bad weather has given us an unexpected break.

We trained at Bishop Perowne High School on Saturday but I've no worries about fitness.

Several first teamers will be featuring in the reserves tonight against Hereford United at St George's Lane and it will give them a chance to blow a few cobwebs away.

Mind you we have to be careful that we don't end up short for Saturday where both Leon Jackson and Jon Holloway will be suspended but Danny McDonnell, Jamie Hyde and Martin Weir will all play some part.

One piece of good news is the extension of Stewart Hadley's loan period for another month. He's strong, direct, holds the ball up well and has scored a couple of goals which he has deserved.

There is a feeling of optimism around St George's Lane at the moment and three wins in four tells its own story.

With no more fixture congestion, I'm hoping we can finish the season strongly.