FOUR wins out of six, a stint at the top of the league and still the players predict they can get better -- has life at the Lane ever been sweeter in recent years?

Three wins on the trot have confirmed initial impressions that John Barton's shrewd transfer dealings have forged the nucleus of a very good team and every test thrown at them so far has been answered.

When a late winner against Hastings was needed up pops Jon Holloway. At Tiverton Mark Shail, Carl Heeley and Danny McDonnell combined for a triple miraculous goalline clearance to hold out for a draw, while away at Chelmsford they bounced back from a goal down and then won at Welling despite not playing well.

It all augurs well for Worcester and Monday's 4-0 win over Moor Green, again despite a stuttering performance, was further evidence of the progress made since the dismal end to last season.

The future looks bright for Barton's boys and whether the City manager likes to heat it or not, frankly at the moment the term genuine title contenders is not too far wide of the mark.

Of course squad depth could be a factor and the impressive debut of Asa Charlton illustrated the need for competition and cover in all positions.

David Foy, who experienced a good start with Tamworth last season, is well placed to assess City's start to the season and remains very upbeat.

"There is a belief at the moment that even if we go a goal down we can get something out of the game," he said.

"People will talk about the Newport victory but as someone said in the dressing room, Saturday's win at Welling was the best of the season because we didn't play well but we still got a result.

"At Tamworth last season we didn't think we were playing that well but we got victories by being solid and defensively sound for the majority of the game and as we started wracking up the points the confidence came. The clich is that at this stage the table counts for nothing, but if you ask all the other managers and players if they would swap places and they would jump at it."

Pat Lyons hopes to be available for selection on Saturday after a bruised toe kept him out of Monday's game.

Worcester's youth team play Newport County in the first preliminary round of the FA Youth Cup tonight (7.30).