Consistency is now the key IT was good to get a win under our belts at Hartlepool last week, because I think the boys needed it.

It wasn't the best performance, but it was certainly very strong, very solid and they couldn't break us down.

For once, we've scored first and defended very well and it could have been two or three.

We know if we do the right things, we give ourselves a fighting chance - it's just a matter of taking our opportunities.

Today is a big game for us, because we have done well in recent weeks.

We didn't deserve to draw with Carlisle, the chances we missed were unbelievable, and then we go to Hartlepool and do ever so well.

We need to follow this up with a home win, but with players out like we have, it is hard because experience counts for a lot and we can't keep relying on our youngsters to keep pulling us through.

I don't think there's many centre halves or full backs in this league who are going to handle Jamie Brooks. He is in cracking form.

Everything he does is positive. He gets the ball down, he wants to get at people, he jinks, he twists and turns, he pops balls through.

In the last three games he could have scored six goals and that, for a little fellow - a boy of his age - is unbelievable.

But he's obviously missed those chances. He will get stronger and better, his confidence will grow. We have to look after him because he's only a baby.

We have to make sure he doesn't injure himself or overdo things, but he's getting better and better.

We have worked hard on the back three and with big Ian McCaldon.

He's a big voice, he's the one who tells them to get out and hold our line higher up the field. When we have set pieces against us, he comes and gets a lot of things.

The four of them together were a solid unit in Saturday's game. We've now got two centre halves out and it's a big blow.

With the other players out injured, that's a team in itself.

Manny Omoyinmi has still got a thigh strain, so we kept him on the bench last week because we didn't want to risk him.

I think it's important to bring people in now, but I'm also aware we have to shift people out. But who do you shift out when you have got so many injured? It's a Catch 22 situation, and you can't do anything about it. Rough justice for Dermot I THINK the FA have really got to review referees - how come players are not dealt with in the same way?

Take the Dermot Gallagher incident. He is being punished for not sending somebody off. Well, you can't have it both ways. Have a look at the Le Saux incident, that was televised. Everyone saw it, so why aren't players treated equally?

Referees have got a hard job anyway, be assured of that.

I wouldn't want to do it, because they've got all of us after them, all the players after them, all the crowd after them and they've got to make a decision in a split second.

What they do need to do, though, is try and make sure all the decisions they make are correct, and there's a lot of things this year that have been wrong.

If they are going to suspend people like Gallagher for that, then certainly when it comes to our case with Mr Ross, they have to look hard at their decisions.

Things like that are costing clubs dear. When Mr Ross was here earlier this season, he sent off a Rushden and Diamonds player who didn't warrant a red card.

We couldn't believe it. That cost Rushden and we went on to win the game.

Something must be done, and quickly. Fine line between success and failure gets thinner THE number of managers who have gone so far this season is ludicrous. It's unbelievable.

I can't believe Andy Ritchie has gone from Oldham. I don't undetstand people, because a couple of weeks ago they were top of the league, talking about spending money and doing this and that.

People should be a lot more patient. The pressure can be put on managers from all angles.

They're doing well, they could lose their next game 1-0, draw the next three and they could be looking for another job.

Myself and Ted know how close we are to getting it right, and yet we have drawn six games - only one of which we deserved to draw.

We should have won the others, and had we done that we would now be in the top five.

It's a fine line. I suppose managers have to expect it, the pressure is on and people expect results. and they expect to be up somewhere or be safe and if they are that then they stay in a job, But some people expect too much, too soon and it becomes difficult for us.

But that's part and parcel. We live and die by results and that's it. Ted and I have said to the chairman that it's not our side until next season.

There may be four or five out of contract, and we might get rid of a few, and bring other players in.

If you're asking 'should people get sacked in under two months'? Well, I don't understand why.

If a team had no points, and had lost every game and were getting tonked week in week out, you would say there is something seriously wrong. But there's a fine line between success and failure.

We've lost three 1-0 and one 2-1 against all the top sides. We've drawn against Luton and Bristol Rovers. We lost to Rochdale here, when we should have spanked them. Against Plymouth we did the same and drew.

We're very close to having a good side, but a lot of managers can say the same thing.

The unfortunate thing is chairmen, boards of directors, the clubs and the fans expect results, and we WANT results.