WE have made a magnificent start and it's the manner in which we have won the opening three games, the number of goals scored and the number of chances created which have given us the most encouragement.

I must stress, however, that we are not getting carried away, our feet are firmly on the ground.

Last season's champions Yeovil Town set new standards in the Conference with their level of play and work ethic and I think I can see comparisons with them in our team. Yeovil did not have the tallest group of players in the Conference but had players who were comfortable on the ball, which I think we now have. There is also a terrific work ethic amongst the players and a sense of purpose.

Of course, at times you want a bit of banter, a laugh and a joke, but there are times when you have got to be serious. It's obvious to me that there is that seriousness about the players' work and there is an excellent spirit amongst them.

I think our first serious test will be against Barnet this weekend. If we can deal with that, and avoid defeat, we can perhaps start to believe that we have the nucleus of a promising side. Last season we drifted away badly in the second half in our match at Barnet, but I think we have more about us now.

Our winning start has not been a major surprise. The writing was on the wall in the pre-season games. I could see the signs in training, and there were some encouraging displays in the matches at Ludlow and Bromyard.

Everyone in the team has impressed me in the opening three matches. The players have shown a magnificent understanding, with newcomer Ryan Green having slotted in very well at right-back. It's unfair to single out any individual but Rob Purdie has been magnificent. He has been working hard on his upper-body strength and his endurance, and it has shown in the opening three matches.

Perhaps one piece of less pleasing news is that we will have the task of playing three important matches in six days in October owing to our home match with Dagenham being moved to a Monday night because of live Sky television coverage.

To ask a side to play three matches in six days is ludicrous. The likes of Arsenal and Manchester United, who have much bigger squads than us, would be less than happy about doing so.

*Graham Turner was talking to Ian Morgan.