Optimistic outlook

He has enjoyed "a very positive week" in charge of the Camrose Blues, during which he has made a key full-time signing and seen his side record a fine 3-0 Boxing Day win over Eastleigh.

To his delight, the Town boss has added Justyn McKay to his ranks on a season-long basis which, along with the recent purchase of Ben Surey for £2,000 from Gravesend, is something he believes will finally help fill the midfield void left by the influential Sergio Torres' departure to Wycombe in August.

Teenager McKay has committed his immediate future to Basingstoke Town after he had the remaining time of his final year of a youth-team contract at Swindon Town paid up in full once the League Two outfit decided to release the classy 18-year-old.

And, in an additional boost, 21-year-old striker Danny Morgan, currently on loan from Oxford United, has had his stay at the Camrose extended by another month, when it was set to expire.

On top of his other new playing acquisitions - ex-Oxford United right-back Lee Molyneaux, goalkeeper Stuart Searle, from Carshalton, and centre-back Danny Brown, from Wycombe - plus Nationwide South successes over Hampshire rivals Havant and Eastleigh, Howe has high hopes that the new year can be a good one for his revamped team.

He said: "When you look at it, we have completely rebuilt this season. It's been a big change-around.

"Although it has been a difficult and, at times, very frustrating process, our squad is looking that much healthier than it did a month ago.

"We have Martin Whiddett and James Taylor returning from injury and suspension and I am pleased to have got Justyn and Ben signed up and that Danny is staying a bit longer - it will give us every opportunity to get the best possible results over that period in time."

Howe added: "We have brought in some experienced players, like Stuart and Lee, who have certainly added to us and there is a good team spirit in the dressing room.

"It was there after the Havant win, and I think our Christmas night out bowling helped too.

"That spirit is being shown on the pitch. The lads are working hard for each other and we are certainly shutting down a lot better - something we have been trying to instil.

"We also look like scoring goals and that's because we have someone up front in Danny, who the lads know will get them if we give him the chances to do it.

"That is good for self-belief and winning the last two games has certainly given us confidence. Results breed confidence. Hopefully, that will continue against Hayes on Saturday, in a difficult game, and into the new year."

Regarding the McKay signing, which is on non-contract terms, Howe said: "After Swindon paid up his contract, I had a productive meeting with Justyn and his dad last Thursday.

"Justyn has enjoyed playing for us and feels it has been of benefit, so he is happy to be here and it was a boost to me to hear that he wanted to sign.

"He has a very good attitude and wants to do well. We had good talks and if it turns out a professional club is interested one day, then we have to be fair to the lad, but that is in the future."

He added: "Justyn and Ben complement each other in midfield and although I had to pay a decent fee for Ben, we will get that back - and more - when Sergio plays his 20th game for Wycombe.

"That was part of the arrangement when we sold him to Wycombe, and if he plays against Leyton Orient today it will trigger the extra payment."

In the 3-0 success over Eastleigh on Boxing Day, Town's midfield, with Lewis Cook and David Ray on the flanks, stood out, such was their combative nature and ability to launch attacks.

The defence was solid too, with Searle ever-encouraging vocally between the sticks.

And, although Howe again had to play central-defender and captain Jason Bristow up front "as a stop-gap" alongside Morgan, due to Whiddett and Taylor's ongoing absences, he is beginning to enjoy fielding a settled side devoid of square pegs in round holes.

First published: Thursday, December 29, 2005