Current team has greater potential

ALL-ROUND, if you take where we are now compared to last year, then in my judgment we are an improved side.

There is more balance, we have more quality and experience and there is also the fact that we are a bigger team physically.

With a lot of new players coming in, they need to gel and it will also take a little bit of time for them to understand what we want as a staff.

And we are missing a number of players through injury and suspension, which means we are thin on the ground numbers-wise.

The key for us is keeping players fit. Simply saying those words is simple — but making it happen is a different kettle of fish entirely.

We haven't got as many players as we had last season, so it is clear that we need to manage them differently in order to give ourselves the best possible chance.

Looking back at the Stevenage game, we knew it would be difficult for us because of their strengths.

They are well organised and drilled and don't deviate from the style of football they play.

It isn't everyone's cup of tea. But it is clear that it works for them.

Despite going behind so early, the longer the game went on, the more it was the case that only one team was going to win it.

Unfortunately, we couldn't quite finish them off.

But as was shown by their 5-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday, they are certainly a team to be respected.

Stevenage are a side who have played together for three or four years now. Players have moved in and out here and there, but the nucleus of the side is the same as it was when they were a non-league club.

They are experienced and hard to break down and when you do get in round the sides they will give away free-kicks to stop you building momentum.

The game at Walsall provided us with a second clean sheet of the season, which came as a big plus and some of our football was excellent.

After having a couple of chances to win against Stevenage, everyone came to the table on Tuesday night.

In particular, it was good for Robbie Simpson to get 90 minutes under his belt and to come out unscathed. He showed touches of real class.

We know that in the past he has had issues with picking up injuries. So it is important we keep him fit.

He will feel better for the Walsall game and the more he plays, the stronger he will become.

Tomorrow we face Leyton Orient and though they are currently bottom of npower League One, I feel it is important to look behind the bare results they have had so far.

In the games they have lost by the odd goal, they have been in contention all the way.

I am surprised to see Orient down there after what they achieved last season, but they have got a big injury list to contend with as well.

We will need to be at our best and, hopefully, the run of only one defeat in six will give the players extra confidence for what is another big game for us.