I CANNOT put a finger on why our performances over the Christmas and new year period were so up and down.

I could not be happier with the way we played against Stafford Rangers. We ran the league leaders close in both games and probably deserved to win at least one of those.

But at Hyde United on New Year's Eve, we were terrible. They hammered us and I could not quite understand where that display came from.

It was a poor performance where everybody was off their game. I don't think we showed that desire, effort and commitment that is needed in this league. It went through the entire team.

We are not hiding away from the fact that we let the club and supporters down. But we bounced back against Stafford at St George's Lane and I feel that was a truer reflection of how we've been this season.

Looking at the season overall, other than at Hyde, I don't believe we've put in a bad performance since the days of Harrogate Town and Moor Green back in September.

I'm not saying we've been brilliant in games, but there's not been a bad one which we've deserved to lose.

Before Hyde, our last two league defeats came against Nuneaton and Northwich, two of the best teams in the division, yet we should have got something out of those.

I was pleased with our response against Stafford. During the first-half, I thought it was going to be one of those days again, especially when Leon Kelly headed against the crossbar.

We had the majority of possession, had lots of crosses and lots of efforts, but Stafford always looked lively on the break and very dangerous.

They got their goal, but we showed good character to come back into the game.

Adam Webster got us back on level terms after half-time and from then on we dominated.

Although we felt comfortable and on top, I always felt on the break they'd cause us a problem.

They were quite lively when they broke at us. Stafford are a good side and top of the league for a reason.

There's no doubt we have missed Chris Smith and, by his own admission, Danny Hodnett struggled against Hyde.

He had a good start against Stafford, although he struggled towards half-time.

But he came back stronger again in the second-half and he deserves a lot of credit for that.

Danny is still a young lad, learning and trying to make his way in the game.

He was probably suffering from a lack of confidence, but he does a good job for us when he's right.

We've obviously got to build on that display but we've another tough game against Kettering on Saturday.

If we can put on that performance again, for at least three-quarters of games until the end of the season, then I'm sure we will have plenty of points.

Hopefully, in the transfer window I'll be able to bring in one or two players.

It would be nice, but to see some movement before the weekend all depends on whether things drop into place.