WHAT a difference a win makes.

An obvious comment, maybe, but one perfectly highlighted by the U’s players’ post-match moods at Bramall Lane and Boundary Park.

After both matches, while waiting for quotes, I watched closely as they warmed down before heading back to the dressing room.

And in both cases, the scene, spirit and general feeling among the group could hardly have been more contrasting.

On Tuesday night, they trudged off. Disgruntled and hurting.

At the weekend, it was the complete opposite and very easy to see why.

The players had every right to be proud of themselves for a result and performance that should buoy even the most negative, pessimistic supporter.

The players showed all the qualities needed to get out of a relegation dogfight – heart, guts, desire and the ability to defend and scrap.

They also showed maturity – ironic, really, for such a young team – in the way they stayed so solid and organised throughout.

However, we now need to see those attributes on a more regular basis – starting tomorrow night, against MK Dons.

Don’t forget – thankfully, it seems a long time ago now - that only a week ago the team showed hallmarks of a side destined for the drop, at Sheffield United.

In fact, it seems almost unfathomable that the same group can go from conceding four daft goals in one game to looking rock solid the next.

But that’s football and I can only imagine how frustrating it must be as a manager, to witness such inconsistency.

Still, they say you’re only as good as your last game so forget about the recent Crewe and Blades defeats.

Instead, focus on the positivity of the weekend and hope for more of the same tomorrow night.

While consistency will be a key ingredient in the U’s surviving, so will their form and points return at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

As we know, their form isn’t the best there but three, four or ideally, obviously, six points in the next week would be a great way to set the record straight.