In the pressure cooker world of football management, David Hodgson has felt the weight of expectancy more than most recently, but the Darlington manager insists his side can live up their high billing this season.

Already, after just 13 games, Hodgson has sampled the highs and lows of all things Darlington.

From the highs of a top-of-the-table clash with Notts County in September to the lows of slipping down to 14th following defeat to Bristol Rovers last month, it's been business as usual for Darlington this season.

What Hodgson craves more than anything at Darlington is progression.

And, after last season's eighth-placed finish, a play-off spot is the least he expects this time around - ambitions echoed by the most demanding of all, the fans.

Hodgson has enjoyed both the adulation and the frustration of supporters this season.

In between, the Quakers boss has dealt with troublesome influences accordingly - small fish when you consider what Hodgson tolerated during his previous spell in charge.

But, as challenging as working under the previous regime was, after assembling a squad during the summer, which had bookies slashing Darlington's odds for League Two honours, Hodgson now faces arguably his most important season yet.

"It just goes to show what the expectations of this club are," said Hodgson. "We had a little blip of two defeats and the whole world seemed to cave in on us.

"Any other club would turn around and accept that games are lost, but it is different with us. It's incredible.

"We started the season really well and that's where the standards are set. We've had a couple of setbacks, but on the whole we're happy with the way things are shaping up.

"Over the 13 games we've played this season we've been inconsistent in at least eight of them. For a young side that is very good."

Since back-to-back defeats to Oxford and Bristol Rovers last month, Hodgson's men have enjoyed a mini revival, unbeaten in their last three games without conceding a single goal.

"We've kept three clean sheets in our last three games and lost just twice in our last ten," added Hodgson. "I think we're doing something right."

And, as Quakers aim to stretch their unbeaten run at Gigg Lane this afternoon, Hodgson has reiterated the importance of building from the back.

"First and foremost we are going there to get a clean sheet," said Hodgson. "If we achieve that then our next objective is to get goals from the chances we create.

"Sooner or later more than one goal will have to go in."

Hodgson believes Quakers also have goalkeeper Sam Russell to thank for their recent renaissance. The Quakers boss admitted Russell was a huge loss when he missed five games through injury earlier this season.

It was during Bert Bossu's ill-fated spell in goal that Quakers conceded 11 goals in Russell's absence.

"I think Sam has made a big difference since coming back into the side," said Hodgson. "We have to accept that when he was missing the goals we conceded were poor.

"The defence has played its part lately, but they will only gain confidence if they are happy with the player behind them."

Phil Stamp's Quakers debut is on hold after the former Middlesbrough midfielder picked up an ankle injury in training yesterday, while Hodgson will rest Anthony Peacock, despite the midfielder recovering from a thigh problem.

Manchester-born Carlos Logan trained yesterday, although the winger is unlikely to recover from an Achilles injury in time to feature at Gigg Lane.

"Losing Carlos and Anthony doesn't make us any weaker because we have other players who can do an equally good job," said Hodgson.

It was in Logan's absence that the Quakers boss switched to a 3-5-2 formation against Macclesfield eight days ago.

However, Hodgson insists the loss of Logan will not dictate the system he intends to use this afternoon.

"We have players who can play out on the left so in that respect we can play whichever formation we feel is suitable," said Hodgson. "Simon (Johnson) and Wainy (Neil Wainwright) can both play on the left so we have options."

Another candidate is Ryan Valentine, Quakers' most consistent performer this season. The 23-year-old full-back is just as effective as a wing-back, as the Welshman demonstrated in the win over Macclesfield.

But, with Quakers expected to start with four across the back today, Valentine is likely to fill the left-back role.

Macclesfield's move for Clyde Wijnhard is back on - thanks to a little help from Hodgson.

Wijnhard last night completed the formalities of a three-month loan switch to the Moss Rose Ground, a day after Brian Horton withdrew an offer for the sacked Darlington striker.

On Thursday Horton said: "I made him an offer and gave him a deadline, but I've pulled out now."

But, after speaking with Hodgson yesterday, Horton has performed a U-turn and now Wijnhard could make his debut against Peterborough today.

"I had a good chat with Brian about Clyde and Macclesfield have decided to go back in for him," said Hodgson.

"Clyde was excellent for us, he scored a lot of goals last season and I hope he can find that kind of form at Macclesfield. I only hope it's not against us in a couple of weeks!"

Wijnhard's Quakers contract was terminated last week after a serious repeated breach of club rules.

"It's sad the way things have turn out, but if a player can't act responsibly and as a professional then they have to deal with the consequences," said Hodgson. "The same applies to any other player at Darlington."

Read more about the Quakers here.