I THINK last Saturday’s win at Swindon has given everyone a lift, and now our challenge is to kick on from it in a crucial series of matches starting at home to Bristol Rovers tomorrow.

In recent columns, I’ve spoken of the need for a break or a bit of luck to go your way, and for once, that happened at Swindon.

Matt Glennon guessed correctly for their penalty and made a great save, and then from his kick downfield, Gary Roberts scored.

It was a key moment, because rather than being level at 1-1, they were suddenly 2-0 down, and the way we kept control of the game was pleasing.

It was the latest in a series of encouraging performances, and it showed that in terms of gelling as a squad, we’re making progress.

I always knew it would take time, and even now, myself, Ronnie Jepson and Mick Docherty have only been working with the players for three-and-a-half months.

We have to get used to them and they have to get used to us and what we want them to do, both in training and matches.

Things seem to be coming together, but it’s very important that we keep working at it and doing the things that have been working for us of late.

After a couple of games on the road, we’re back at the Galpharm in front of our own fans and aiming to put on a show for them.

As always, please be patient – it’s the score at five o’clock not four o’clock that matters the most – and be assured we’ll be going all out for the victory.

Our home form had been a bit indifferent, but I think most fans will see that in the last two games, against Northampton, who we beat, and Leicester, when we lost but should have got at least a draw, that the standard of our play has been good.

Take into account our away games at Oldham, where we drew but should have won, Darlington, where we lost after making a lot of changes but still created enough chances to have won, then Swindon, and there’s more encouragement still.

Bristol Rovers certainly won’t be pushovers.

They’ve got a bright young coach in Paul Trollope and a very experienced director of football in Lennie Lawrence, who is an old mate of mine.

It’s an example of that type of system working, in my view because Lennie is the type who will stick to his side of things but will be more than happy to give advice to Paul when he seeks it.

But if we play to our potential, we’re capable of beating any side in League I, and three points is definitely the aim.

THE only negative this week has been the news that Andy Booth needs a back operation, which is a setback both for him and the club.

Boothy should have had the surgery by now, but believe it or not, the specialist due to carry it out has broken his ankle.

He has recommended a colleague down in Croydon, and Boothy will go down there on Tuesday so the guy can have a look and fix a date for the op.

Hopefully that will be as soon as possible, then we can start the rehabilitation process, but the soonest we can hope to see him back is January.

It’s a big shame because Boothy is a big player for us, but I believe we have the squad to cope with his absence.