Following a spell of strong form, the green and whites will be under the national spotlight against the Bluebirds with the game live on BT Sport as part of the National League’s 40th anniversary.

Speaking to YTTV, the gaffer said: “You should raise your game. You’ve got a bigger audience, which means a larger range of critics. It should drive motivation, keep you focused and disciplined as we’re exposed to the wider world.

“I think a few of the players will have a nice haircut! At the end of the day, how many times has Nelson, Alcock, Murphy, Collins played on TV? For the young ones it might be a bit more of an added thing for them.

“But what we’ve got to keep doing is improving, we’re nowhere near where I want us to be in terms of physical performance.

“In terms of character and development, if this is how we are going to be all year, I’ll take that every day of the week.”

Fresh from a midweek victory at Ebbsfleet United and now unbeaten in their last three, the green and whites face a 600-mile roundtrip as they travel to their Northern opponents.

However, Town’s boss sees no disadvantage to the lengthy trip as his side look to carry on where they left off in midweek.

“It’s part of being a footballer, you sit on a coach, it’s not real hardship. We’ve got a television, food, drink, microwaves so we don’t suffer.

“Over the course of the season, it can become quite frustrating when you get to March and it’s another hotel. I’d rather do it this time of the season, whilst the sun it out rather than a cold night in December.

“At the moment it’s a really good mood in that dressing room. The way that I am, I try and spend as much time with all the staff in different departments as I can.

“Obviously the summer was a really disappointing time where you could feel the grey cloud when I got here. I don’t think it’s completely dispersed but I think we’re getting there.”