ONE look at the Conference league table quickly tells you there's not a lot between the sides at this level. Nine games into the season and just 12 points separate 20 teams.

We saw that in our last home match with Barrow, when they gave a resolute defensive display to hold us to a goalless draw. Five days later they lost 6-1 at home to Rushden & Diamonds!

Against Forest Green, we were comfortable 2-0 winners at the New Lawn and yet they held out at today's visitors Oxford barely 48 hours later.

That said the stand out side so far this term has been Oxford. They're obviously playing with a lot of confidence at the moment and I'm sure we're in for a really exciting game this afternoon.

I'm looking forward to this month because we've got some cracking games coming up against the likes of Cambridge, Luton and Chester. The pressure is there, week-in, week-out, to keep winning but football doesn't always work like that as Luton are finding out.

They've had a year to prepare for playing BSP football, and have spent a lot of money in assembling their side, but it doesn't matter who you play, it's not easy to just go out and win every time.

For me, the first 12 games of the campaign are all about shadow-boxing. Gradually the league then starts to sort itself out and, with three games a week, much will depend upon the quality of the squads.

Most managers are still trying to find their best team but it's now that I would expect the cream to begin to rise to the top.

Having played four games in eight days, the international break has at least given several of our players the chance to shake off any slight knocks and strains that they've been carrying.

It's also a chance to recharge the batteries and the players have come back refreshed and full of running.

The only concern we've had this week has been a bit of a virus which has affected the likes of Mani, Hedi Taboubi and Andy Fleming.

That seems to have cleared up now but it looks as though Sam Williamson has picked up a hernia; we're waiting for the results to come back on that to confirm the prognosis.

On the goalkeeping front, Sam Russell is obviously going to be out for a while following his dislocated elbow. Chris Maxwell has come in and done very well but he's got to keep that going.He's got the chance to make the number one shirt his own.

Given Sam's situation, we've been looking at trying to bring in some cover; Erwin Sak has been training with us this week following his release by Cardiff City and he played in the reserve match at Oldham on Wednesday night.

Like Chris, he's a young keeper, so we've been looking at a number of different options and we'll make a decision over the course of the next week or so.

Back to Oxford and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed my days there; they were a top flight side back then and had a good cup record as well.

It pains me to see them playing at this level because they are a great club with a proud tradition - much like ourselves - and nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see us playing each other in the Football League next season.

This is their fourth season in the Conference and it's very difficult to have to build a club from the bottom up. When you get relegated you lose most of your better players, you lose a bit of heart right through the club and you also lose a bit of belief.

It takes time to turn things around and, when you look at this league, there are probably nine or ten teams all capable of winning promotion this year; yet only two can go up. That makes life difficult for us but I'm confident that we now have the capabilities here to do that.

Enjoy the game!

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