IT was back to winning ways against Merthyr Tyd-fil and though it was a poor performance it was the right result.

We had chances to kill the game off in the second half but didn't and Danny McDonnell had to make a double save to save the points in the final minute.

In our eyes we have tried to give an honest assessment of our situation and we know we need to im-prove but in football things can turn so quickly.

From a very confident and efficient performance against Rushden to half time at Tamworth the confidence just ebbed away. It is interesting to see that it is not just confined to Worcester City - it also happened to Manchester United on Sunday.

But the result against the Lambs showed how close things are in the Dr Martens Premier and there are not a bucket load of goals between any of the sides.

It was disappointing to lose not least because we threw away a two goal lead - it's bad enough losing but when you are two up at half time it's even worse.

The win against Merthyr has pushed us up three points to tenth and if win our games in hand then it can change quickly. There is not a Margate that is going to run away with the league.

Now we're looking forward to playing Crawley on Saturday and it is a chance to go and show what we can do.

We're are not happy with how we've been playing and on Monday brought Jon Holloway into defence where he's played before and he did quite well as did Marc Burrow who I was quite pleased with.

People can be critical and we have to take it on the chin. As I've said before when I first arrived at St George's Lane, this could be a four or five year job before you feel as though you get it right.

It's well documented we want to bring in new players but they have to be the right ones. We need impact players - those that will make a difference when they come in. We've had quick fix players at Worcester City before because it was necessary by I want to bring in quality.

But it is no easy task - everyone is tied to contracts. We've made five offers for players - two from the Conference and three from lower leagues in the pyramid. But I must admit we are struggling to get them out of those clubs.

Clubs nowadays put their prized assets on contracts and it is not like it was when I was a player at City when you could turn a side round with seven day approaches.

The difficult job in management these days is the contracting of players and transfers.

I've spoken to two players in recent weeks and whereas it used to be a case of the selling club doing a deal with the buying club there is now another party - the agent - operating at our level.

I never thought I would see them at our level. I'm not in favour of them and I've always believed the best agent a player can have is himself and by the performances he puts in.

JOHN BARTON was talking to

reporter NAT SYLVESTER