THE performance against Rushden & Diamonds was outstanding especially as at one point on the Wednesday before the game we didn't have 11 fit players.

But it raised a few questions as to why we can't do it more often and we have now got to start putting the record straight.

I'm sure there is more in the dressing room than we have seen this season although not being able to pick a team through injuries has not helped.

The display against Rushden didn't surprise me because the FA Cup is one of the best competitions and has that ability to make players raise their games. I just wish as a manager you could have that response every game.

I think it was an example of what players can do for themselves if they put their minds to it.

However from my point of view these games are easy - but the same kind of commitment and motivation is required for every game. We only meet three times a week so it is up to themselves to prepare properly both physically and mentally and I can't understand why there should be such a big difference in levels of performance such as that against Rushden and in recent displays where we've been poor.

I must admit that on Saturday night there was a bit of anger creeping into my thoughts because of that.

The closeness of the game didn't surprise me because although it is a clich the form book really goes out of the window and it is just 11 against 11.

Rushden did what we expected them to and were defensively solid and we played 4-5-1 for extra protection down the flanks. We might have played that even if we'd had more options.

Phil Stant did a brave job but he was still struggling a bit with his Achilles and to be honest on Wednesday we didn't have 11 fit players but we wanted him out there. Hopefully Phil is better now and can have more of an impact as he did earlier in the season.

Contract talks are progressing well with Dwaine McFarlane and hopefully something might be concluded by the end of the week.

We've used the young players such as Dwaine too much, as we have Phil to an extent, but we are paying the price with injuries. I would have preferred to be more selective with their appearances but our hands have been tied. We've had the benefits of the FA Cup but by the same token it's cost us a lot including Mark Owen.

We've played 15 league games with 27 to go and from now on the league is the priority and we've two matches in three days against Tamworth and Merthyr Tydfil to get our league programme back on track.

Tamworth is always a tough place to go and under Gary Mills they are definitely one of the form teams but I'll expect a big effort from the lads but if we show the same kind of commitment that we did against Rushden then I think we can pick up points.