WE RETURN refreshed and revitalised following seven days in the Gran Canaria sunshine where we have taken advantage of the excellent facilities on offer, trained well and recharged our batteries in readiness for the challenges that lie ahead between now and the end of the season.

It has been a most productive week and the change of scenery has done everyone the world of good.

Looking back at our festive fixtures, two wins and two draws was a good return. I thought that the players' fitness levels were terrific; they were very professional throughout the holiday period and ultimately got their reward.

I couldn't have asked for any more from them, particularly as we played for more than an hour on Boxing Day with ten men.

We shouldn't underestimate how tough it is to get 'up' mentally for four games in a short space of time, but the lads managed to do just that. Against Peterborough United in our last game on New Year's Day, we totally controlled the match from start to finish and fully deserved the win. Both goals were great finishes and it was pleasing to see us score a couple of goals like that.

Now we must make sure that we can build upon the solid foundations that we have laid during the course of the first half of the season.

On Monday evening we find ourselves back in front of the live Sky Sports cameras as we take on a Grimsby Town side who are one of only two teams to have beaten us in the League so far this term. That gives us an indication of the task that we face, but we will be looking to maintain the high standards that we have set ourselves to secure three more precious points.

Alan Buckley is back in The Mariners' hot-seat and is sure to receive a particularly warm welcome for his exploits as both a player and manager here at Walsall FC.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you most sincerely for the support that you gave the team over the busy Christmas programme of matches. It is an expensive time of the year, but you turned up in numbers to give us the backing that we needed and long may it continue as we enter an important phase of the season.

By working together we can really make 2007 a year to remember?.

RICHARD MONEY