WHEN Darlington kick off at Barwell on Saturday, it will have been 35 days since we last played in the league. With a couple of postponements and a seeming lack of interest in cup competition, it almost feels like we’ve had a mid-season break.

With teams having played a varying number of games, the league has concertinaed somewhat with Nantwich Town overtaking everyone by virtue of having played at least three games more than anyone else at the top.

Meanwhile, the chasing pack behind us have closed the gap and while there is still four points between us and the closest side, Ashton United, it’s telling that the teams that expected to be in and around the playoffs before the season kicked off, Workington, Ilkeston, Stourbridge and Ashton United, are all starting to get their ducks in a row.

With the real possibility of a points deduction hanging over our heads, it is of significant importance that we head into the busy Christmas period in red hot form. At some point in the not too distant future, we could find ourselves up to nine points behind the playoff positions as things stand. If we lose all 13 points gained while Anthony Bell played ineligibly for us, it would take a Herculean effort to claw our way back to where we are now.

Taking all of the above in to consideration, Saturday’s game at Barwell is massive. While poor performances in the FA Trophy have little long-term effect other than costing us a few grand in prize money, such performances in the league will have a detrimental effect on the prime objective of this season.

Barwell are a real hot and cold side who on their day have a significant goal threat. Recently, they banged five past Granthan Town, six past Halesowen Town and three at Ramsbottom. If Darlo defend like they did in the FA Trophy, it could be a long afternoon in Leicestershire.

One man to look out for will be 18-year-old Bradley Hickey who has scored ten goals from midfield this season in all competitions. Such has been his form, he is being tracked by a number of top clubs and is currently on trial with Leicester City.

With an almost full squad to choose from, Martin Gray is going to have a number of selection headaches ahead of the trip. Pretty much every position in defence is up for grabs. Will it be Gary Brown, Lewis Gibbons or Chris Hunter at right back? Will Brown or Hunter play in the centre? Will Kevin Burgess start? Does Terry Galbraith come in ahead of Anthony Callaghan at left back?

Meanwhile, it will be three in to two in the centre of midfield with the choice between Leon Scott, Adam Nowakowski and Tom Portas. That will be made even harder when Phil Turnbull returns.

Finally, will Wilson Kneeshaw have to prove his worth from the bench? If not, whose place will he take? Does Graeme Armstrong come back into the reckoning now that he is fully rested following his early season exploits? What about David Dowson?

Ironically, these are the sort of selection questions that are asked before a season kicks off. As it is, it feels like our season is starting again. Hopefully, we’ll hit the ground running once again and kick off a run of form that will, at the worst case, secure our place in the play offs.