ANDY King has warned that the inconsistent nature of League One this season means Town have no right to view their next three games as any sort of 'softer touch'.

King's men have appointments with struggling Torquay and Port Vale after Saturday's home clash with Barnsley, leading some to conclude that nine points are there for the taking.

That sort of haul would most certainly boost Town's play-off prospects significantly but the manager is refusing to contemplate such a scenario.

King insisted: "It doesn't work in that way. I've said that this is a very inconsistent season, all the teams are finding it very difficult.

"I would have expected to beat other teams that we have not and I would have expected to have lost, or be harder pushed, against Hull, Bristol City or teams like that.

"I just look to see are we at our best for Saturday and then I take the next game.

"It's about how you play on the day, so no, I don't look at it as an easy situation. It's not.''

Two wins on the bounce means Town will head into Saturday's meeting with the Tykes in good nick, although King believes his team's performances still have some way to go.

"Against Stockport we played ever so well and should have won 8-0, then they went and drew 2-2 with Bournemouth which states the difficulties there are in beating teams at any level,'' he added.

"At Oldham we didn't play so well in the first half, but we put it right at half-time and scored two goals to beat them and got a result at a place where no-one has won in recent weeks.

"Elements of luck have happened, I don't think the performances are that much better.

"We're not playing like we were in the purple patch of the season - December - which seems a long time ago.

"But I keep telling you, we're eighth in the league and we're in among the fight again.

"That's a large statement to make considering the problems at this club."