With Dagenham stretching their lead to nine points, it’s difficult to know whether the pressure is increasing or decreasing. People talk about us ‘doing a Carlisle‘ by getting promoted straight away then moving up through the leagues and it was interesting to read Ian Atkins’ comments about Carlisle’s own mid season slump during their season in the cracks of doom.

Carlisle’s momentum wasn’t built from a Conference championship win, of course, it was from a late season surge which saw them promoted through the play-offs. Likewise Doncaster; another bastion of Conference succes, who won their freedom via the play-offs. If we were to run away with Conference championship, we wouldn’t be doing a Carlisle or Doncaster, we’d be doing an Oxford.

If we can get over the psychological issue of where we’ve come from – 8 points clear and a 19 game unbeaten run – then the chasing role could suit us. If we can reel Dagenham back in, then all well and good, if not, then there’s plenty of scope to build some form when going into the play-offs.