REFRESHED and revitalised they may be, but nothing changes for Michael Wilde and his Connah’s Quay Nomads’ team-mates.

After a busy festive period and with injuries mounting Nomads were ready for the 12-day break from action between beating Flintshire rivals Airbus 4-0 and hosting Barry Town United tomorrow.

But Wilde insists that the players would have been ready to “go again” last weekend, much like they have been since the summer’s Europa League participation, and that Nomads are focused on the task of winning games, however frequently they arrive.

“It is tough, but on a personal level, I’ve done it for years and it’s more a mental thing than a physical one,” said Wilde when asked about the relentless nature of the domestic season.

“Physically you have to be able to cope with the demands, but it’s crucial to mentally prepare to train, train, play, train, play, train and so on.

“It’s constant and once you get in that mindset and you are given jobs, roles and responsibilities on the pitch, you go out on the pitch and hopefully the hard work you put in away from game day means you get the three points you want.

“We’ve been picking up wins quite regularly which has put us in a very good position at this time of the season.

“We just keep going. We just add the points up at the end of the season. We’ve always said that European qualification is the remit for this football club and you see where things take you at the end of the season.

“It’s about being strong minded and getting into the mindset of realising the importance of each game and being able to put yourself at task for 90 minutes plus.”

With 12 games of the season remaining the importance of each match will increase, certainly if Nomads manage to stay within touching distance of leaders The New Saints.

Andy Morrison’s men are a point behind Scott Ruscoe’s Saints, who they meet in the final game before the split next weekend.

Former Saints striker Wilde, who has seen Jamie Insall awarded his opening goal against Airbus, insists that tomorrow’s match with Barry is just as important as any clash with the reigning champions.

“They are going to be big games and people will look at the TNS one as a ‘six-pointer’ but it’s not,” said Wilde ahead of the business end. “Whichever team wins only gets three points, but it would be nice to be in and around them towards the end of the season.”

Nomads, who have seen Morrison nominated for December’s manager of the month award and defender Danny Holmes in the running for the player of the month, are set to be without goalkeeper Lewis Brass (broken toe) tomorrow, although captain George Horan returns from suspension.

Bala, who have signed Louis-Augustin Malandjou Kondjo, are three points off top spot in third place and return to action tomorrow at Cardiff Met.

Christian Edwards’ Archers need to win their last two matches and hope that Newtown lose both of their outings before the split and Cefn Druids are beaten at least once to finish in the top-half.