Head Coach Rob Elliot believes Carlisle United are moving in the right direction as they prepare for Saturday's trip to Enterprise National League leaders Boreham Wood.
The Blues head into the weekend four unbeaten despite a demanding schedule and lengthy travel in the last eight days.
And while Elliot feels there is still some room for improvement, he has been encouraged by the progress his side are making in adapting to his style of play.
He said: "I think you can see blocks of what we're trying to do in moments, and obviously what we are lucky with, we've got big moment players who can take advantage of that.
"What's good is the patterns are causing carnage and the style of play we're trying to implement, and the lads are buying into it.
"I think as we evolve and as time goes on, we'll hopefully be able to gain more control and dictate games more, but really pleased with the amount of opportunities we're taking."
The Wood currently sit top of the table and arrive into the fixture with momentum, carrying their form over from last season, which saw them reach the play-off final.
Despite the challenge ahead, Elliot is relishing the opportunity to test his squad against one of the division's strongest sides.
"They've been superb, and they rightly sit at the top of the league. I'm a big fan of theirs.
"I'm a big fan of what Luke's (Garrard) done and the players they've got. They've gone all in on the way they play, and they're very, very good at it.
"I think, like I said before, they're probably our favourites for the league, and I think they deserve that title with the way they started and the way they finished last year."
Elliot thinks the encounter will provide a useful benchmark for his players as they continue to develop during the early stages of the campaign.
The United boss insists his side must approach the contest with confidence while having plenty of respect for Saturday's opponents.
"We've got nothing but respect for them, but we've got to make sure that respect is because they're a good team and have good players, but we've also got to make sure we back ourselves and attack the game in the right way.
"We've got to make sure we go and match that and surpass it as a minimum.
"I'm looking forward to watching the lads in the game because I think we'll find out exactly where we are. I think it's going to be a terrific game of football."
