Last updated at 19:42, Friday, 28 December 2012

SITTING in the changing rooms after Tuesday’s FA Cup second round game against Macclesfield you could see the disappointment on the lads’ faces. We played well and we knew we should have won the match.

Before the game we had spoken about our game plan and I thought we stuck to it throughout. All of the lads were fantastic and over the last few weeks we seem to have gelled together, something which can only help us in our league battle.

Tuesday’s 1-1 home draw means we will go to Macclesfield for a replay a week tomorrow, but before then we have big league games away at Alfreton tomorrow and at home against Gateshead on Boxing Day.

Last Saturday we went to Chesham United in the FA Trophy second round. We were professional in the way we approached and played the match. To win 5-1 was really good and with four lads getting on the scoresheet it helped boost confidence.

We had travelled south on the Friday in preparation for the game, something I always seem to enjoy.

That night we had a little quiz, with (Sean) Hessey the quiz master. We all had to hand our mobile phones in to him on a tray so there was no cheating. Straight away it was obvious Rowey (Danny Rowe), Tom Anderson, Louis (Almond) and Joe Jackson especially were going to be in trouble!

I had Alex-Ray Harvey and Shaun Pearson on my team and was confident we wouldn’t come last. What happened? Yes, we came last!

I blame Alex-Ray, who after claiming he was great when it came to quotes from movies didn’t get a single one right!

It’s now coming to that time of year where the games comes thick and fast – and we all also have to do our Christmas shopping.

Thankfully I did mine in Leeds on Monday but I know for a fact that some of the lads haven’t started yet, meaning there could be some unhappy girlfriends come Christmas Day!

Hopefully some of the lads will get some new clothes for Christmas. Seriously, the stuff some of my team-mates have been wearing is terrible.

The Christmas period is going to be very important, with plenty of big games. We need to get the right results.

If we can string a few wins together we stand a good chance of moving up the table.

The support inside the ground on Tuesday night was brilliant. The fans never stopped singing and when Richie (Baker) slotted in his free-kick the place erupted.

I know that was the FA Cup, but if we could get a big crowd and atmosphere like that for league games it would be great.

Back to tomorrow and we know we must get a result at Alfreton. The aim is to take the positives from Tuesday and hopefully come away with three points.

May I take this opportunity on behalf of all the players to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy new year. Keep the faith and keep believing.

Come on you Bluebirds!

MATT FLYNN

First published at 16:18, Friday, 21 December 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk