FOOTBALL is often described as a game of two halves and football seasons can also be like that.

The Dragons will hope this is the case this season as the first half of their campaign has not gone to plan.

The side made the play-off back in May, but now this is just a distance memory. Now it is time to roll their sleeves up and get ready for a relegation battle to avoid dropping out of the National League South.

The only way is up for the team as the currently are bottom of the table five points adrift of their nearest rivals and six points from safety.

Town boss Michael Gilkes believes he has the squad to take Town away from the bottom and the mood in the camp is still positive.

If Town are to escape then they have to score goals and the recent addition of experience striker Rowan Vine has certainly added some more firepower to the team.

The striker has a wealth of experience which can only be a good thing for the team.

He scored on his league debut and always looks a threat in opposition penalty areas.

Chris Flood, the club’s excellent FA Cup run is a non stop work horse and a player once he starts scoring usually goes on a nice run of finding the back of the net.

He is a player that defences find hard to shut down and will be a key player in Town's relegation fight.

Liam Enver-Marum is a big striker who in the right formation and given the right job comes up with goods.

His aerial ability makes him a very good option for a player coming off the subs bench.

Another forward who can makes happen is Lloyd Macklin the quickest member of the front line and his pace at times makes him very frightening for tired defences at the end of games.

Also you can add into the mix if needed, George Hallahan currently on loan at Slough.

The return of the hard tackling midfielder Jamie Brown has got to be a big plus for the team. The side have missed a midfielder general, who is prepare to block and win the ball all day.

Glen Southam is a good stay at home midfielder as well. These two players have certainly allowed the likes of James Harper to be a lot creative from the centre of the park which can only be a good thing for the team.

Former Reading star Harper could well be a key member in closing months of the campaign with his wealth of experience.

Of course having midfielders who can score goals is a great plus and in Shaun McAuley they have a game winner and I sure he will score a few big goals before the season is out.

Harrison Gilkes is exciting player to watch if not the finish article yet. Manny Williams is another solid worker both and off the ball and will also grab you some goals like Louie Soares who came so close to scoring in the FA Cup tie at Cambridge.

The return of Simon Dunn from injury will also be a great boost to the time as he brings another dimension to the midfield.

The defence at present is without club captain David Ray, but they will hope to build on last week’s clean sheet against Hayes. If Town can keep the goals against down then wins must surely follow.

Loanee Dominic Hyam has looked good and Jay Gasson is a tower of strength in the centre. Rob Rice is another when called upon does not disappoint.

Then there are two very explosive wing backs in Nathan Smart and Tom Bird, both are very exciting to watch.

Bird can certainly deliver the telling crosses and along with Smart hopefully as results come the pair will be making more runs forward.

The last line of defence is Aaron Howe and he has been solid all season at fault for very few goals Basingstoke have conceded.

Town have the players to do the job now it is just about everyone getting behind and hopefully by May they will be well away from the bottom three.