ON reflection, I have been pleased with how Worcester City have started the season.

I think the performances in our first two Blue Square Bet North games against Hyde and Vauxhall Motors were good.

We were disappointed as a team with the goals we conceded in the 2-1 defeat at Hyde but we kept going and created a lot of chances and, on another day, could have won the game.

Then we bounced back with a good 2-0 victory on Monday night against Vauxhall Motors at St George’s Lane.

I expected us to pick up at least a point at Hyde so that was a personal disappointment but we are only two games in and it’s very early so, overall, I am pleased.

As long as we can perform more often than not like we did on Monday, we will have a good season.

If you look at the bookmakers’ odds, Hyde, Vauxhall and ourselves are going to struggle but, for me, if that is the case then the standard is going to be high in the league this year.

With that in mind, the next four games will give us a good benchmark for a number of reasons.

Halifax, who we host on Saturday, are favourites to win the league and, like Telford, have been reborn out of a club that went bust.

They have risen through the leagues and are tipped to do that again so it will be a good test for us.

We visit Histon, who were relegated last season, on Tuesday before facing Eastwood away and Nuneaton at home, two teams who were in and around the play-offs last season.

Something that has also been encouraging is the strength in depth of the squad.

On Monday we had Jacob Rowe, Emeka Nwadike, Simon Brown and Asa Charlton all missing.

There is a lot of quality and experience in that group and they would certainly strengthen us in my opinion.

Of those, only Asa has played to date, although he missed Monday’s game through injury, so that’s testament to the competition we have and I feel that’s crucially important.

I have been impressed with all the players but the one thing that has stood out for me is that we have thrown together a lot of new faces and they are getting on really well.

I thought the work-rate and effort from everybody, including the subs, against Vauxhall was brilliant.

Another key player we have been without is Tom Thorley who is in China at the World University Games.

I have not spoken to him but I have been reading his blogs and it sounds like he’s having a fabulous time and I am pleased for him.

He’s a great lad and his application is as good as I have seen in a player.

It will be such a wonderful experience for him and hopefully he will bring that to Worcester and get even better for us.

I rate him very highly.