THE outcome from the three games in the next seven days could have a massive bearing on Gloucester City's season, according to manager Tim Harris.
Gloucester visit play-off hopefuls Hednesford Town in a rearranged Conference North game tomorrow night before welcoming Lowestoft Town to Whaddon Road on Saturday and travelling to relegation rivals Bradford Park Avenue two days later.
The Tigers climbed out of the relegation zone by beating bottom side Hyde 4-2 on Saturday, making it two wins on the bounce.
Buoyed by new signings Femi Orenuga, Mo Diop and Sahr Kabba, who scored twice on his debut at Hyde, it appears Gloucester may have turned the corner but Harris is refusing to get carried away.
He said: "The games are coming thick and fast and we've got three crucial games this week which will have a massive impact on our league position.
"I think we've got to be very careful because there are six or seven managers in the same boat as I am, feeling optimistic about getting out of the relegation places and staying there, but we've got to focus on ourselves and keep our feet on the ground.
"We've got to keep our consistency now because this is a big week."
Kabba did not have much time to get to know his Gloucester team-mates after joining the club from Lincoln City on Friday night, but settled in straight away by scoring with his first touch against Hyde before completing his brace in the second half.
Harris said: "He looked very lively and so did Femi but there were good performances all-round and whilst Kabba and Femi take the highlights it was a good team performance and we've got to put that in again tomorrow night.
"It was a must-win game, whatever the scoreline, but we played good stuff and so did they – they had a real go at us.
"We're looking a threat going forward now so hopefully we can kick on again."
Harris is pleased with the business he's been able to conclude in the last two weeks and, though he is unlikely to add any more signings this week, he has not ruled out bringing in more new faces.
He said: "I'm never happy. If you rest on your laurels you come unstuck so if we can improve we will always do so but we've given ourselves a good shot in the arm."
Gloucester have no fresh injury worries ahead of their game against Hednesford, though Nathan Modest is still serving a three-game suspension and Matt Williams (groin) remains sidelined.
Hednesford, who drew 0-0 at Whaddon Road in August, are only outside the play-offs on goal difference in seventh place and have suffered just one defeat in their last eight games.
Harris said: "It will be a real tough battle. It will pose a stronger test than Saturday but after two wins on the bounce we'll go in with some confidence."
