ON Saturday our winning league run stretched to 11 games, a run that started way back on September 23. In one way or another each win has been fully merited and the style of football we are now getting accustomed to is gaining us many plaudits. People me

ON Saturday our winning league run stretched to 11 games, a run that started way back on September 23.

In one way or another each win has been fully merited and the style of football we are now getting accustomed to is gaining us many plaudits.

People mention to me quite often that the lack of seniority in our squad could be a problem against more senior opposition, but at this present moment in time I completely disagree.

The atmosphere and team spirit around the first team squad right now is tremendous and the players desperately want to be successful.

The enthusiasm and attitude on the pitch has been relentless over the last few weeks and at the very least it is making our opponents fight ever so hard.

The goal we conceded against Amersham Town on Saturday was the first conceded in open play for over 500 minutes and in attack we have a depth of creativity that is catching to the eye.

We have had a few problems on the injury front just lately and quite often even at professional level you hear managers making excuses for results due to injuries.

If we want to progress these injuries have to be dealt with and right now other players have come into the team and have not looked out of place.

When everyone is fit there will be selection dilemmas in hand.

This winning mentality the players have built up has stretched into our reserve team squad as well and they deservedly sit top of their league section and maintain an active participation in all cup competitions.

Last week I took a squad made up largely from reserve team players to play a first team fixture at Bedford in the Division One cup.

I thought we would be competitive and was confident we could win but to thrash a mid-table side 6-2 was an outstanding effort and shows what ability we have in depth at the club right now.

The period of games leading up to Christmas will be tough.

The weather and pitch conditions become changeable over the winter period and that is one area that we did struggle to cope with last season.

Sometimes playing good football has to change to a more physical, grinding performance.

We showed we can do it at Hatfield Town last week, arguably our best fought victory of the season, but no doubt we will have to show that determination in various other games throughout the winter period.

Getting to top position in the league has been well deserved for the players, maintaining that position for such a young squad will not be easy and it is clear teams raise their performances to try and gain a worthy scalp.

Our next three games against London Colney, Tokyngton Manor and Kings Langley are as tough as any we will face this season but have also come at a good time whilst we are playing so well.

This period will go a long way to showing me if we are capable of pushing a promotion place, something I genuinely think we are capable of.

Paul Attfield.