SAUNDERS ON SOCCER: WELL, a dogged result against Backwell last weekend. In all fairness, we didn't deserve to win, but I have to admit I'd settle for playing badly and winning rather than the other way round.

Tomorrow we are home to Barnstaple Town. Barnstaple are managed by a man I respect greatly and who I have had many dealings with over the years.

John Hoare is a legend in Devon and was the manager at Plymouth Argyle in the mid-'80s when they got to the semi-finals of the FA Cup before losing to Watford at Villa Park. He is a very experienced man and is always at the end of the phone if I need some advice.

Our previous game against Gloucester City was a cracker. We were very poor in the first half and deserved to be two goals down, but the lads showed true character in the second half and, despite losing, I really enjoyed the game.

What was even more pleasing for me was the crowd of almost 800 people. At this level, that is phenomenal and I would like to thank you all for coming.

On Tuesday I went to watch Melksham in their 3-2 win over Bishop Sutton (mainly because we have Sutton next weekend). This result lifted Melksham to third in the table.

They are playing some good attacking football and look every bit as good as last season. Fair play to Robbie (Lardner) and Paul (Rose) as they have taken over from Darren (Perrin) and changed very little and are still winning games.

In the league last weekend there were again excellent results for Taunton and Yeovil and both these sides are setting a tremendous pace at the top of the table. We are nicely tucked in behind them, but it is crucial that we keep in touch. I feel sure we are good enough to do this but it is all about mental application.

Our Wiltshire Premier Shield game against Salisbury City has been arranged for Tuesday October 24. This is a game I am looking forward to as it will give me the opportunity to blood many of our youth team players as well as give games to some of my squad players.

Salisbury are really flying in their league and I don't suppose our first team would stand much chance against their full first team anyway.

My scout Peter Farrell watched them in their 4-4 draw with Bath last weekend and he was very impressed. It will be nice for me to visit their new stadium as I have never been there.

On Tuesday night we travel to Odd Down for a local derby. This will be a very tough game, but if we are to challenge for the title, we must win. We beat them 2-0 a couple of weeks ago, but we didn't play to our full potential.

Swindon got a great result against Oxford in the local derby and lifted themselves up the table, while Clevedon Town lost again to slip further into trouble in the Dr Martens League Premier Division.

Nationally, England were poor. How Mr Keegan felt he could play 4-4-2 after Euro 2000 and the promising performance against France is unbelievable. What makes it worse is that the people from the FA wanted him to stay. This column is written before the England game against Finland, but if Phil Neville can play for England then Nathan Rudge is good enough for France.