WE asked for a response on Saturday because they lads know they let themselves down (against Weymouth in the FA Trophy) but we had a tough week in training and drew a line under it.

We’ve spoke about what we want to achieve between now and the end of the season and the standard of performances that we’re looking for.

We saw that everyone was fantastic against Evesham and I’m just pleased for the lads.

I don’t try and take any great credit for what they do. I take the flak if it goes wrong but I don’t want any praise when it goes right, I just want the lads to do what they do consistently.

The Christmas period is always a tough one and we probably couldn’t have asked for a harder run of games with two local derbies and a match against Totton.

We’ll have to utilise the squad and the players know that it’s up to them to look after themselves and conduct themselves properly if we want to pick up the right results.

I’ve put my faith in them to do that because they’re an honest bunch and I’m sure they’ll do the right things.

There’s no rest for the wicked as a manager and I’ll still be working on my plans in the evening on Christmas Day so that the lads know that everything is laid out properly for them on Boxing Day.

It’s always a welcome relief to get out of the house and there’s football on the TV but it’s also a big day for non-league.

Even when I was a player, I looked forward to Boxing Day and New Year’s Day games and it’s great for the supporters too.

I’m still talking to a few people about a striker but I think we won’t be doing anything until after January 2.

We could lose Lewis Powell at any time when he goes for his operation but we won’t rush into it and we may have to look at getting someone in on loan and then maybe something more permanent later on.