Alan Julian saves a penalty during the shoot-out

A point on Saturday and a thrilling penalty shoot-out win on Tuesday has got us back on the track after a couple of defeats. The gaffer made changes in both matches and they proved to be positive, as the results show.

On Tuesday, some fresh faces played and, by the sounds of things, they all did well.

I was unable to be at the game after catching a virus from my little boy but I followed it on the Net and spoke to a couple of the boys about the game. It seems we got what we deserved in the end.

We are looking to go as far as possible in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. It gives us the chance to play at Wembley and win a trophy, and speaking from experience, that is one of the best things you can ever do in football.

We had to do it on penalties in the end. Penalties are always good for the neutral but not great for those involved, as they are always nervy and can go either way.

I have been involved in a couple and managed to put my penalty away. Luckily, the boys showed their technical ability and nerve to get through one step closer to Wembley.

The Walsall game saw us pick up a point, which was hard fought, if not particularly aesthetically pleasing.

It was probably the worst we have played in terms of football and passing but there were no errors and good discipline from the whole team, gaining a clean sheet in the process.

We do feel that we could – and maybe should – have got three points, which shows our belief that we can go away to teams in this League and feel slightly aggrieved not to win.

The gaffer was pleased with getting back on track in terms of picking up a point. But he reiterated that if we get ourselves mentally tuned in to be at the top of our game for as many games as possible, we can win games like Saturday and push on this season – which is what we all want to do, finish as high as we possibly can.

We now have a good game to look forward to this Saturday against fellow-promoted Exeter City.

They gave us two tough games last year and we expect nothing less this weekend. They started similar to us with mixed results, which is not unexpected when you enter a new league.

We can get a good result and overtake them in the table and try to get into the top half.

The gaffer will have a pleasant problem with selection as the boys who came in on Tuesday all showed how good they are and will make it difficult for him to pick the 11 to
start.

The transfer deadline day went successfully, as all the boys are still here. A bonus, as losing a player on the deadline day makes it difficult to replace them so I’m sure everyone is glad we still have our squad
together.

There were lots of player movements and lots of rumours on Sky Sports. It’s a merry-go-round at some clubs (Portsmouth and Spurs spring to mind!)

See you all on Saturday…