IT’S CERTAINLY been a positive start to the season for us and we’ll be looking to keep that going when we take on Hartlepool United this weekend.

It’s a long way to go but we’ll be making the journey in good spirits after two positive and hard-working performances.

The first of those came against Plymouth Argyle and beating them 1-0 was an ideal way for us to start.

We could maybe have had a few more goals and, if we’d got a second, I think the floodgates could have been opened.

But from a defensive point of view it was nice to get a clean sheet and I think the fighting spirit, commitment and team work we have here was there for all to side.

It was a similar story against Yeovil on Tuesday but unfortunately we just weren’t quite able to get the win.

I actually thought I had scored right at the end of the game with a header I managed to place just inside the left post and I still can’t believe the goalkeeper managed to save it.

Yeovil are a good side who also won 1-0 at Millwall last weekend and I certainly think we can be encouraged by how we played against them despite not winning.

I also think there’s more to come from us and we’re certainly not the finished article just yet.

But we’re working hard on the training ground to try and make the necessary improvements as we look to recover from our League Cup exit.

Ben Clarkson has also been reflecting on defeat after being beaten in a race against the Yeovil physiotherapist when they both came on to the pitch at the same time to treat injured players.

Being out on the pitch it was noticeable that Ben was giving it 100 per cent and had a determined grimace on his face.

In contrast to that, the Yeovil physio seemed to just be jogging and even looked back over his shoulder almost in embarrassment towards Ben!

It would be safe to say that this has been mentioned quite a few times and we’ve all told Ben he should maybe spend some time in the gym doing more cardio work and not just weights.

TIME FOR NEW SIGNINGS TO HIT THE RIGHT NOTES

OUR first away trip of the season means that it’s time for our new signings to have to sing to the rest of the squad at the team meal we have on the Friday night in our hotel.

It’s something the lads all look forward to and is always a good laugh.

You ideally want them to be nervous, stuttering and sweating to make it more enjoyable and not like Britt Assombalonga who was probably the best I’ve ever heard.

It’s no fun when they’re actually good and I think the worst one we’ve had was Mickey Spillane last season.

For some reason he thought it would be a good idea to sing I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles and it wasn’t long until bread rolls and all kinds of food was being thrown in his direction until he eventually decided to change his choice of song!

Ryan Hall was also up there with the all for being among the worst we’ve ever had He decided to sing baa baa black sheep which clearly wasn’t acceptable but, in truth, it was probably the only song he knew the words to!

I also think I should mention Paul Smith who still refuses to sing his song and also refuses to pay his fine for not doing it!