THE feeling in the camp is a really positive one as we travel to Wakefield on Saturday.

I think it is fair to say we were devastated by our last league result - a 31-22 defeat by Coventry - but the weekend win at Lydney has boosted spirits.

There is an overwhelming feeling that we are improving with every training session.

The continuity and the growing team spirit is getting better, as you would expect, day by day. We are in good heart approaching the trip to College Grove and happy to get back to league duty.

Lydney was a test of character for the boys on the back of the Coventry defeat. It would have been easy for us to go there and throw the ball about and try lots of different things after the loss. We tried to get more ball to the backs but we didn't revamp our game-plan and came out 45-0 winners. It was a thoroughly professional display - not the best performance in the world but a professional one! We made some silly mistakes during the match and our lineout was probably the worst it's been all season. However, we stopped them from scoring and defensively we were sound. That pleases me most because we have to make sure our defence is watertight, that is the priority for the coach.

We know what the backs can do once they are given the chances. What was nice to see at Regentsholme was that the backs actually created chances for themselves, they were superb. The centres did very well and Tony Yapp continued his good form with a hat-trick of tries.

We didn't have the best preparation either as Chris Yates dropped out at the last minute. Therefore, the result was all the more pleasing at a difficult venue. They were up for the game and they had some good, experienced players so it wasn't as easy as some supporters might have thought. We showed good patience when we needed to and took our chances. We probably need to look after the ball a bit better but that will come and it is something we have been working on this season. What people have to understand is what we mean when we say "be patient". It's not a case of starting slowly because we must begin our matches with the highest possible tempo. It is a matter of creating chances and not forcing play. I think we have been guilty of that sometimes this season.

Wakefield will provide a new test of the side's character but I am confident we will be up to it. They have had a poor start to the season and are now, like us, desperate for the points. I think they are a good side though and have just been a little unlucky this year. Whenever I have seen them they've played good rugby but are maybe just lacking in experience a touch. Going forward they are excellent so, with them at home, it is something that we will have to watch. They could have easily have scored four tries in their game with Rotherham but for a few errors near the line. That potential tells you they will soon have a good day and we must make sure that that day is not against us! We cannot afford to have another match like Coventry where we were very poor defensively.

That defeat has put us under pressure to win our games but once we get on the pitch, you cannot worry about those extra pressures. We still believe we are good players, you don't become bad ones overnight. We believe we have the best squad in National One and are still very much in the race for promotion. If anyone is under more pressure now it is Rotherham because they have everything to lose. We have everything to gain and intend on getting our season back on track in Yorkshire.