ALTHOUGH we are still a long way from what we want, the win against Rushden last Saturday was much needed and a great morale-boost for the players.

Their attitude was first-class and they were delighted with the way the crowd got behind them even when they were warming up.

I hinted last week that after our meeting with the players following the Cheltenham defeat we would go back to basics and adopt similar tactics which gave us a long un-beaten run earlier in the season.

On reflection we probably stepped up in our coaching plan too early, judging by the comments from the players and the way they responded last weekend.

We were particularly pleased with the first goal against Rushden which came from something we had worked on in training and Sean Hessey's free-kick for the second goal was also planned only the day before.

Some fans may have been surprised to see Michael Branch playing wide in midfield, but I have always thought he was a better player when running at opponents and I was pleased to see him cutting inside and delivering the pass for the opening goal.

During our disappointing run recently the management team has come under fire from some supporters, but I gain a lot of satisfaction from believing the club is in much better shape than when we arrived.

The organisation, quite frankly, was a shambles, but Mark Aizle-wood and I have gradually introduced a more professional attitude on and off the field.

Even the little things like having the matchday and training kit properly laid out ready for the players when they arrive in the dressing room has made a difference. Training is every bit as important as playing games which is something we have impressed on the players since we arrived.

And the chairman has to take credit for his part in helping to bring a more professional attitude to the club. When we have overnight stays before some away games we stop at the same hotels as Premiership clubs, so our preparation is top-class. We leave no stone unturned to make sure everything is right for the team and now we have to make sure we show the same level of professionalism on the pitch as off it.

But we can only do so much. Once the players cross that white line it is up to them to get the job done.

We are currently 10 points from the relegation zone and at the start of the season I think we would have settled for that.

Safety remains our top priority and when we achieve that we will think again about going forward.

Hopefully, that victory last Saturday will give the players some confidence and help them relax, particularly at home where things can get pretty tense.

It is then the fans can be such a help with the support they provided so magnificently last weekend.