IT was a bit parky as we gathered to see Parky’s response to the blip at Peterborough, the all-seater Macron stadium preventing us huddling together to keep warm like we used to do at Burnden Park.

Hopes were high for our first league double, having beaten Millwall a few weeks ago, although they had been on a good run since.

Despite welcoming back Captain Marvel, Jay Spearing, our injury curse continued unabated with the mysterious absence of David Wheater.

Derik Osede was chosen to fill those rather large boots, while Ben Alnwick got the chance to start after Mark Howard’s mugging last week.

These things are sent to try us and we passed this test with flying colours. It was another confident home display where we were in control for most the match. A cracking goal from Josh Vela and Tom Thorpe’s header were enough to see us home.

Alnwick didn’t really get the chance to show us what he can do as our defence with support from the midfield, mopped most things up, making him almost redundant and at risk of frostbite. The whole team played well, making the man-of-the-match selection difficult, with five or six contenders at least. Sammy Ameobi’s virtuoso spell in the second half was worth the admission money alone.

League One is beginning to take shape and we are up there in the top four. Confidence is building and hopes are growing that we are starting to turn things around.

But that is all it is at this stage of the season – hope.

We’ve another 28 battles to encounter and to fight for the points necessary to keep us up there.

Injuries and suspensions are already testing the strength of our squad and our recovery, as they will test all our opponents. The January transfer window could be critical, seeing which teams strengthen their squads and which teams will have to surrender their better players to the vultures from the higher divisions. We’re in there with a shout, which is something I could not have envisaged six months ago. I look forward to hearing more words of encouragement from Mr Anderson on Wednesday evening.