If it ain't broke...

Haverhill Rovers have been enjoying a rich vein of form as of late, as evidenced by their 11 match unbeaten run and them holding the joint best defensive record in the league. They share that honour with Dereham, though the league leaders have played four more games. Still, Rovers are conceding an average of less than a goal a game, putting them on a par with third placed Kirkley and Pakefield and just ahead of second placed Wroxham and fourth placed CRC.

Their record speaks for itself - after a disappointing home defeat by Stanway Rovers in their second game, they have been unbeaten since - an impressive record that has seen them already do the double over Walsham-le-Willows and Wisbech Town, who sit just above them in the table, as well as holding out for a goalless stalemate against then league leaders Kirkley. On Saturday they face Debenham LC, with manager Peter Betts optimistic about his side's chances, and rightly so after they eased past them in the FA Vase.

Debenham travel to the New Croft rock bottom of the table, no doubt low on confidence, but still capable of frustrating Rovers. Betts said Haverhill 'have to treat them the same as the Leistons and the Kirkleys, and if we do then there's no reason why we can't win'. But is that the problem? Are Rovers treating these games with respect or complacency? Their draw at home to Felixstowe and Walton United certainly smacked of that - after dominating the first half and not converting chances, they eased off and conceded a deserved equaliser with seconds left on the clock. The 3-2 loss to Woodbridge, just days after winning there 5-0, also seemed to be a little complacent.

Rovers have improved dramatically since even as recently as pre-season. Gone it seems are the days of wasted chances resulting in dropped points, with inspired new signings Dan Emmanuel and Dalton O'Brien in particular having no problem finding the net. Marc Abbott has provided a creative force from midfield, though Betts has said he is looking to sign another attacking midfielder as the side struggle in his absence, and will be glad when his three game ban expires after the weekend. But Rovers are no longer going into most games as the underdogs - being seventh in the table they should not be either. Betts has said they thrive when playing bigger teams with no expectations, but now he must motivate them to thrive instead under expectation and pressure.

No doubt he can do that - and already has for the most part. Though Betts said that he is keen to avoid 'another Felixstowe' when they host Debenham, and is acutely aware that being the favourites or having the better team doesn't get three points - goals do. Stuart Wardley and Marcus Hunt should be able to keep Debenham at bay again, their job made easier with the man-of-the-match hogging Stuart Kingham breaking down the play before them. Saturday will be a good test to see how they go about breaking down teams, rather than worrying about teams trying to break down them.

Another positive was the spirit showed to falling behind, as in their last league game Rovers came back from two down in the closing stages at Great Yarmouth, and with Craig Cutts scoring regularly then the team really is doing well. There the formation was changed to a more agressive one with three strikers, but Betts said he has no intention of adopting this on a regular basis - and why should he with the team doing so well?

After Saturday Rovers will face a stern test to maintain their unbeaten run over the next two league fixtures - against league leaders Dereham on November 6 and against CRC three days later. Betts said he would be 'very happy if we get through both of these unbeaten' - perhaps a feat not as unlikely given their impressive record. Dereham have lost one and drawn three, CRC have lost three and drawn five - Rovers have lost one and drawn six, so their record is up there with the best of them. Both promise to make for exciting, albeit edgy encounters at New Croft and will hopefully provide two good results for Rovers.

Regardless of the outcome of both, there will still be 26 games to go afterwards. Betts has already said their aim is now to finish in the top ten - perhaps modest considering their achievements so far, but certainly deservedly more ambitious than their original plan to merely stay in the division. If the strongest XI can be put out week after week without any significant losses, then there is every hope for this to be realised.

It has been pleasantly surprising to see such a changed side clicking so early this season, and with such successful results. Rovers always looked strong in defence and midfield, but now they have been refined but quality attacking options to make them a potent threat up front to boot. Squad depth was shown by the ease their B-string swept past Whittlesey in the Cambridge Invitation Cup. They have a good understanding and a good way of playing, and as Betts said, 'we've not been broken yet' - and if it ain't broke, why fix it?