IT’S funny how much can change in two weeks.

My last column followed Taunton Town’s 4-1 win over Wimborne Town in the FA Trophy, and a fine attacking display full of reasons for optimism.

Fast forward to this week, and the Peacocks are out of the Trophy, humbled by lower-tier Aveley.

Boss Rob Dray has spoken about “freshening up” his side for Saturday, with Ollie Chamberlain, Andrew Neal and Zac Smith back in contention to play.

But do they need freshening up more generally?

There’s been plenty of comment online this week about how Aveley’s pace troubled Taunton, and the way Yate Town tore into them earlier in the season lingers in the memory.

It’s worth pointing out that the Peacocks have only lost two of their last 11 games, though, and that they are six points off league leaders Chesham United with a game in hand.

Every team in the top six have lost two or more games already, taking the old adage that “anyone can beat anyone in this league” to extremes.

Even so, there is a recognition that Taunton can do better, and there’s nothing like competition for places to drive up performance levels.

It’s looking less and less likely that we will see Naby Diallo and Josh Grant any time soon, but loanees Smith and Harry Kite bring undisputed quality and youthful exuberance to the midfield.

Fellow youngsters Noah Coppin, Luke Manley and Jack Rice-Lethaby are also pushing the more established names for starting spots.

In terms of more experienced options, Dray says that the process of signing new players is “ongoing”.

Full-back/wing-back reinforcements would be ideal in my view, but there is a delicate balancing act to be achieved here.

On the one hand, they have to be at least as good as the players currently in those positions.

On the other hand, they have to accept that they will be on the bench sometimes, as Dray changes system and the players within that system from game to game and depending on the opposition.

Otherwise you have another Pierce Mitchell/Ed Palmer situation, players leave and you’re back to square one.

Food for thought indeed.