AFTER the enforced winter break, it's been great to get back to playing football over the past couple of weeks and there's been plenty to be positive about. Take our last two home games for example.

Against both Wimbledon and Mansfield, we produced resolute displays to claim maximum points against two sides in the play-off places.

That's not to say that we didn't play some good football either and we showed that, with the addition of Andy Mangan and Luke Holden, we have a side which is more than capable of matching any other in this division.

The key to success is consistency though and that's where we fell down at Eastbourne on Saturday.

With Christian Smith suspended after what was a very unfortunate red card against Mansfield, we were forced into changing the balance in midfield and it's fair to say that we missed his physicality.

Christian is one of those players who performs a very important role for the team and provides a platform for the more skilful players to play.

The rest of the lads really appreciate what he gives us but football is now a squad game and other players have to step up to the mark in his absence.

We started poorly on Saturday and we were second to too many balls, especially in the first half.The opening goal was a case in point when we conceded a goal from our corner!

They broke quickly from the back and then Jamie McCluskey let Joe Benjamin wriggle past him out wide on the touchline.

The big striker just hit a hopeful cross into the box and Silvio Spann allowed Jamie Taylor to get a free header in and the ball sailed over Sam Russell and into the net. It was a poor goal and one which should never have happened.

After the interval we came more into it and started to pass the ball around. When they had a lad sent-off I thought we had the ideal opportunity to go on and claim another three points, but within a minute we were two-down through another defensive lapse.

In the end, we had more than enough chances to win the game; I lost count of the number of crosses we put, with balls flying across the face of the goal and then the woodwork denying us twice.

Mike Williams did pull one goal back but it wasn't to be and so we now have to start another winning run commencing with tonight's game against Tamworth.

Gary Mills will have been delighted with their win over Stevenage at the weekend and, as they have already demonstrated against us, they will be difficult opponents. That said, tonight is about us and making sure that we are up to the challenge.

Sunday, of course, sees us make the short trip across the border to Chester for the local derby. Their problems have been well documented this season but that does not mean that we will underestimate them.

Derby matches are always notoriously difficult to predict but, especially given the level of support we will have there, we know that we have to go all out to win.

Drawing games is of no use to us; we've seen the impact just a few wins can have on the league table and if we could end up on Sunday night with six points from these last three games then we are still moving in the right direction.

Finally, a quick word about the whole Anthony Barry situation.I have gone on record several times to say that I only want players at this club who are completely committed to what we are trying to achieve here.

We could have been difficult and not released his registration but that would not have been to anybody's interest.

It was a disappointment but we move on with the sole aim of ensuring that Wrexham FC returns to the Football League as quickly as possible.

Enjoy the game.