"That little bit of confidence has been reinstated" - Lakeland says Town have built some momentum ahead of Solihull trip

The Shaymen have produced impressive back-to-back wins over Hartlepool United and Boreham Wood to boost their play-off hopes.

Lakeland admits his team is still an outsider for a top seven spot but wants them to retain the focus that has seen them get back on track.

"At any stage of the season, but particularly this stage, that little bit of form and momentum is very important," he told the Courier.

"We just had a little period of time where we were struggling for consistency and we lost a bit of momentum, but we seem to have rediscovered that in recent weeks with the two draws against Rochdale and Sutton, and followed up by really important back-to-back wins against Hartlepool and Boreham Wood.

"I feel we're in a decent place in terms of confidence but we're under no illusions that we are, for me, still outsiders and we do require snookers.

"But what we have been able to do is get a little bit closer to one or two teams above us than we were two or three months ago so we've just got to focus on the next game, try and win it and we'll be doing that until the remainder of the season.

"Let's just see where it takes us."

Lakeland says Town's back-to-back victories have helped build some belief back into his squad.

"You certainly feel like that little bit of confidence has been reinstated, which I think comes naturally with a win, or a couple of wins, when you've been on a difficult spell of form," he said.

"But I feel like we've had belief in ourselves as a group all season.

"If you look at our form over the last 15, 20, 25 games, we're right in there with the best teams in the league.

"It's only that little run of form we had through the end of January into February where we've let a few points slip us by.

"But you can't dwell on the past, it's just all about focusing on the immediate challenge in-front of you, which is the next game, and trying to win it.

"And I feel like the focus levels and the performance levels in the last two games have been very good and hopefully the players can keep on putting in those types of performance levels in the coming weeks."

Halifax have been using three centre-backs with two sitting midfielders and two attacking midfielders in-front of them in recent games.

Lakeland says the system has helped get the best out of his players.

"We had a little spell in October where I felt we were conceding too many goals, particularly in away fixtures, and we weren't really giving ourselves a good enough platform to go and win those games on the road," he said.

"We made a decision to change the shape a bit when we went away from home, round about December time, and went with three centre-halves.

"Our win record when we've started with three centre-halves is incredibly good, I think the only game we've lost is Forest Green away, and we should have had something out of that game.

"So our form with centre-halves has been very good, particularly when we've been able to get Shaun Hobson and Will Smith playing together with one of the others, and obviously in the last couple of weeks we've added another very solid and experienced centre-ack in Ash Palmer.

"Having those three at the back would give any team a really solid foundation to build on.

"I think all successful teams are built on a good defensive record and making the switch in the last couple of games has definitely helped us have that bit more steel and grit about us, and given the players in-front of them that bit more freedom to go and do what they do.

"One of our strengths all season has been our flexibility, so we might change back at some point or we might continue with it for the time being, it just depends on player availability or opposition, there's many factors, but I feel that whether we go with a back four or three centre-halves, at the moment we're in a good place in terms of individuaks playing with good confidence and we've got really strong competition for places right throughout the team."

Chris Millington's Solihull drew 1-1 at Brackley on Tuesday night and are without a win in their last eight games.

"Only time will tell," Lakeland said when asked if it was a good time to play them.

"We're obviously coming up against familiar faces to the club in Chris (Millington) and Andy Cooper and I've no doubt they'll be wanting to try and get some good results before the season ends.

"They had a spell where they were within touching distance of the play-offs but in recent weeks they just seem to have dropped off a little bit.

"But I'm sure they'll want to try and finish the season with some kind of form.

"It's always dangerous playing teams when they're off the back of a bad run of form because generally, if you keep losing or you're having a run of defeats, there's usually a win round the corner and vice versa, if you're having a run of wins, there's usually a bump in the road to come.

"As always, it'll be about us going in focused and with a clear plan, and making sure the players have got the best chance of performing, which is certainly what we'll need to do if we're to go there and get a win, which is what we've got to be looking to do now."