AFTER a fantastic start to the season the key for us now is to finish the job in hand.

We have put ourselves in a good position in the league but we must sustain the challenge and see it through to the last match in May.

City have had a few compliments on their progress to the top, but the general chat from managers is that Tamworth have been the most impressive team and are most people's bet to win promotion.

We intend to have something to say about that, but to do that we must find the net with more frequency.

Four blanks in five matches is cause for concern and while we are pleased with the defensive side of our game, the goals against column is still coming up short by 10-12 goals.

It isn't so much that we haven't had opportunities or chances but we must be more clinical and show conviction when the occasion arises.

We have the division's top scorer in Darren Middleton and with injuries easing slightly it might be time to move him back up front.

It is something we shall be giving careful consideration to in the light of us failing to score in back to back matches with Halesowen Town.

In the first of those encounters we had enough possession and opportunities to take the points but lacked conviction.

Monday night's defeat was disappointing with some of the senior players not producing the displays that I had hoped for.

We took the opportunity to rest the likes of John Snape, Pat Lyons and Adam Webster because they have all been carrying knocks and the league remains the priority.

The trio have been tremendous with their attitude, playing even when not fully fit, but I would not expect anything less.

That said I was still unhappy with the nature of the Halesowen defeat and the likes of Snape and Lyons have set standards that incoming players have to try and match.

Dan Jones is one player who has done his chances no harm. He's looked very assured and calm and since his debut has dealt with everything that has been thrown at him.

People watching him at The Grove at the weekend would have thought he was much more experienced than he actually is.

He's a quiet unassuming character and will be judged by what he does on the pitch, but I'm aware a lot of supporters have been impressed with what he has done and I sincerely hope it carries on.

Ilkeston Town come to St George's Lane on Saturday and with a new manager in place will be a different proposition and much harder challenge.

A change in management often heralds an upturn in fortunes and the match will be much harder, there's no doubt about it.

If all goes to plan we hope Adam Wilde will be involved and at this point I'd like to point out the ambition and support shown by Mike Sorensen and the board of directors.

Manager and directors often take the brunt when things go badly so it's good to give them plaudits at their efforts to support and invest in the team.

JOHN BARTON was talking to reporter NAT SYLVESTER.