WHAT a difference a week makes.

With three points earned at Leamington, our home game with Blyth Spartans looked a whole lot different than it had a week or two earlier. Back then, Blyth were yet another team that we would probably struggle against. With a win under our belt, Blyth became beatable. With a defence that has conceded more than our own, Blyth were always going to be there to beat but the difference between now and maybe just a couple of weeks ago was that both the players and the fans had renewed belief and confidence that we could actually do it – and we did!

When the third goal went in, a goal that showed a renewed flow and belief in our play, there was a sense of relief among those around me that we had secured a well-deserved win. Before that, with a two-goal lead, there was always the possibility we could fluff our lines once again. In a season during which every mistake has been punished and we have passed over numerous opportunities to better our lot, there was always a feeling in the back of the mind that regardless of how well we played, we could mess it up. In a refreshing twist, we didn’t.

While us fans are clearly delighted that we have secured back-to-back wins for the first time since the opening fortnight of the season, I’m sure the happiest person of all will be Tommy Wright. Let’s pull no punches, we were cutting it pretty fine prior to the win at Leamington. The pressure must have been on him, but he continued to highlight the positives in games even when we came away with nothing. What we have seen in the last week or so are those positives coming to fruition. The attacking threat that has been building in the last couple of months is starting to deliver.

Six goals in two games is a pretty decent return. Meanwhile, we have now gone two games where we’ve conceded fewer than we’ve scored. That’s big progress. Even bigger progress has been the on-pitch rebuild that Wright has been undertaking. He took charge of a doer-upper after his predecessor had declined to make the necessary improvements last summer. Despite operating with a reduced budget, his signings have improved the team. In fact, I don’t think he has signed a bad player yet.

Speaking of bad players, there weren’t any on Saturday. It just goes to show that if we cut out the silly mistakes and each player operates at a level well within their capability, winning games isn’t an impossibility. More importantly, we are getting some big performances from players who can make a difference. The likes of Stephen Thompson and Reece Styche are becoming unplayable for defences. Then you have the likes of Josh Heaton dominating at the back and Joe Wheatley driving through the midfield. I’ve been particularly impressed with new left back Ben O’Hanlon who looks like yet another good addition.

We mustn’t get carried away with these two wins. Two wins don’t make a season no matter how much it feels like they do. We are still very much in the relegation battle given we’re just three points above the drop zone, but what we have is a renewed belief. We have games coming up that are now within our reach, including the trip to Bradford Park Avenue this coming Saturday. We travel knowing we can win and it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if we came home with the three points.