IT felt like this week was going to see our slump end. The fixture computer had provided us two great opportunities to get that much-needed win. While we missed the chance to beat a poor Leamington side last Saturday, we took our chance to put the sword to an equally poor FC United of Manchester side on Wednesday. It feels great to come away from a game feeling positive again.

Against Leamington, it felt like we had reached a low point during the run of poor form. While the visitors sat back hoping for the best, we did very little to breach their defence. It was notable that we played the ball around a bit more than usual but our play carried little threat or purpose. Against FCUM, it felt like the purpose had been found once again.

Despite a fairly quiet first half, it felt like we were building up to something prior to the break. I was feeling pretty positive for the second half until Kevin Burgess’ ridiculous challenge threatened to derail us once again. Before the referee had even reached for the red card, I suspect most in the ground knew what was coming.

During our barren run, many questions had been asked of both the players and the coaching staff, some legitimate, some not. So, it was with a great sense of pleasure that during the half-time break last night, players and coaches had come together and found a solution to deal with our numerical disadvantage. We didn’t look back. We came out and if anything, it looked like we had the extra man. All of a sudden, everything appeared to click once again and we dealt with a poor side in a manner we’ve come to expect over recent years.

Rather than looking aimless and short of ideas to break down an opposition defence, we shifted the ball around, we had variety in our play and we had some real drive in the centre of the park.

Throughout the game, FCUM were collecting yellow cards like Panini stickers and as we turned up the pressure, it was only going to be a matter of time until they started to count. By full time, they were probably a little lucky not to have lost players more than the two they did considering how many of their players were on a booking.

In terms of individual performances, while most will look at Nathan Cartman with his well-taken goal, the player that really stood out for me was Joe Wheatley. Having liked what I saw during pre-season, it’s been a bit baffling that his involvement up to this point has been pretty minimal, barely making the bench never mind the starting XI. I can only hope his performance will have done enough to get another start on Saturday against South Shields. Throughout our poor run, we have looked a bit listless and one speed in midfield. Through the injury to Tom Portas and the loss of Josh Falkingham to Harrogate Town, we’ve lacked a genuine box to box midfielder who can be the team’s dynamo. Hopefully, Wheatley can fill that void.

We couldn’t have timed finding our mojo any better ahead of this Saturday’s FA Cup tie with South Shields. In reality, we should have more than enough to get past the Mariners but even the most diehard Darlo fan will have questioned our chances prior to Wednesday’s win. If we can find the same level of performance as displayed during the second half against FCUM, we should have a ball in the bag come Monday.