TWO straight wins have given everyone a real lift around the football club this week.

There really is a smashing group of lads here now and the wins against Wycombe and AFC Wimbledon have given us a real platform to build on.

We have a small but competitive squad and will be looking to get another good result against Dagenham this weekend.

Our matches with them are always close and I think they raise their game against us.

They bring a bigger than normal following when they play at Roots Hall because it’s an Essex derby and that gives them a bit more of an edge to their game.

Dagenham are also quite a direct side so we will have to be ready to deal with that if we are to get another three points and continue the good run we’re on at the moment.

With the match again being at home it will also be interesting to see what the lads bring out from their wardrobes.

Gavin Tomlin is quite lucky because he works as a science teacher in his spare time and can wear those clothes on a match-day.

Kevan Hurst also has a light blue suit which I think he has definitely borrowed from his wife, while Seedy Njie has a shocking pair of shoes.

I think he must have not returned them the last time he went bowling with the youth team and I’m sure the staff at Kursaal Bowl are currently on the look-out for him!

PARALYMPICS ARE AWESOME

I AM massive fan of the Paralympics and have been watching all of the events in awe.

They have been awesome and a real eye-opener as well.
 

Those taking part have come through real adversity in their lives to get to where they are today and they have certainly had things a lot tougher than professional footballers do.

The blind football is something I have watched a lot of in the last few days and their concentration is amazing.

They work incredibly hard and I’m sure any of them would have given anything to have played professionally.

Yet some of the players who are given the chance don’t appreciate how lucky they are.

They could certainly learn a lot from the Paralympians and it’s been fantastic to see so many British medalists.

I hope there are plenty more to come in the remaining days of the Games and I will certainly be watching.

FULL COLUMN IN THURSDAY'S ECHO