WELL, we have begun the second half of the season as we did the first half -- an away defeat. Not as bad a score line, but almost as bad a performance.

The manager says we could have taken something from the game at Rotherham and we agree -- we could have taken a three or four goal beating!

True we came into the game more in the second half but we were so far out of it in the first half we simply had to improve.

Lets take a look at the season so far.....

Following that best forgotten opening day in Kent we went on a run of three draws and a defeat before gaining our first win in the sixth game against a poor (at the time) Millwall.

This poor start was blamed on a number of things, the prevailing excuse from the club being we were suffering a 'hangover' from the play-off defeat in Cardiff! Maybe.

Whatever it was this first win brought the new season to life and, the odd hiccup apart, we went on a run of form second to none in the division.

An away win at Birmingham (of all places) was a high, but this was followed by a thumping home victory over second placed Norwich in a superb all round performance. Another high was of course the 6-0 rout of Stockport during an eleven game unbeaten run only recently ended by top dogs Burnley.

Why then after eleven games unbeaten did we find ourselves still outside the top six?

The fact is that in the twenty two games prior to the Burnley defeat NINE games were drawn. What does this tell us?

It looks to us that while we certainly are a team that are difficult to beat at the same time we are finding it equally hard to win matches, and one reason for this could be the fact that since the win over Stockport we haven't been able to keep a 'clean sheet'.

We are conceding goals at an alarming rate and this needs rectifying quickly. We are also giving the ball away for fun in midfield which also needs putting right.

The goals for column is OK, not much wrong up front, the added bonus being the form of Richard Cresswell. The situation with regard to Jon Macken needs sorting, as seen at Rotherham, some fans are beginning to get on his case and this won't do anyone any good.

In summary most supporters would agree, the players here have done magnificently over the last few seasons, but a number have gone as far as they possibly can.

Some are now having to try too hard -- hence mistakes are being made. We take nothing away from any of the players but......we are crying out for new faces - its time to strengthen the squad.