GARETH Ainsworth doesn't see the Christmas games against high-flying Bradford City and Cheltenham Town as a yardstick of how far Wanderers have come in the last month.

Tomorrow's opponents Bradford sit in fifth position and are still cock-a-hoop after dumping Arsenal out of the League Cup last week, while Cheltenham are in the automatic promotion slots.

A five match unbeaten run, during which time Wanderers have doubled their points tally for the season, has moved Wycombe up the table and led to possible talk of promotion amongst players and fans.

But Ainsworth said: "I don't think we need a yardstick to see how we are. It doesn't make any difference to me if people want to concentrate on beating the top teams or the bottom teams - I just see what the performance is, win, lose or draw.

"We've been to Rotherham and beaten them and on the flip side we've beaten Accrington - two teams that people will say will be at different ends of the table at the end of the season.

"We won't win every game but it's performances that count to me, and the desire and passion I've put into the lads. If we can show that, that's how I judge the team. If we get that right we'll win more than we lose.

"I don't want to think, ‘these are top teams we're coming up against’. The Wycombe of old used to beat the top teams and get beaten by the bottom teams. Anyone can beat anyone and we don't fear anyone in this league.

"We can handle any situation at the moment and I'm confident performances will keep coming."

An added incentive to see off Bradford tomorrow is the possibility of being spared a trip to the training ground on Christmas Day.

With a Boxing Day game on the horizon December 25 is usually seen as just another day at the office for footballers, but Ainsworth said he's still mulling over whether to give his players the day off or not.

The Wanderers boss said: "They have done really well for me lately so I haven't decided, but I'm erring towards maybe they can have that off. It's a family time and we're a close knit, together club and I can trust the boys to do it right.

"I've always said I will give things back to them so we'll see after Saturday about Christmas Day."

With four games in the next 11 days coming up Ainsworth is having to alter the training regime to make sure everyone is in tip top condition.

He said: "Some will train harder and some will get recovery. We've got a couple of suspensions so those lads will have to keep themselves fit and ready for when they come back in. The others need to concentrate on recovery."