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The Rovers boss came away from Saturday’s 3-0 win over resurgent Brereton Social purring with delight at his team’s performance.

“The lads played very well – now they’ve got to keep it up,” he said afterwards. “Players like Jon Laws are beginning to play regularly rather than in the odd game, and I believe we’re now playing ourselves back into the sort of form we showed earlier in the season. Atherstone are doing well – they won 4-0 at Lye midweek – but we’re putting a run together too and we’ve still got to go to their place.”

In fact, Rovers still have to play their other main rivals Oldbury United twice in the league – with the possibility of a two-legged encounter in the league cup too – also have to visit high-riding Wednesfield Social in a tough run in to the end of the season.

But Northwood believes his side can make a real bid to go one better than last season’s runners-up spot.

That belief centres on the recent signings that have brought Guy Hall from Eaton Park and Nick Sales from Tamworth, with Hall slotting in well for his debut last Saturday and earning the accolades of the pundits.

Sales, though, may have to wait a little longer to make his first appearance for Rovers. The former Hinckley sweeper was not registered in time for the Brereton visit and that may have cost him an early chance to make the side.

Northwood was known to be unhappy with the form of certain players at the back until recently but said after Saturday’s win: “I’m now thinking of leaving well alone.”

All will depend on how winger Gary Stevens, whose influence is gradually spreading around the side after his recent arrival from Willenhall, reacts to treatment today on a neck injury.

“If Stevens is declared fit, Northwood is likely to say: “The team is the same – now produce the same sort of performance at GKN Sankey.”