AFTER a super start to the season it has been a tough month or so for Newport Gwent Dragons.

Defeats to Bath, the Ospreys and Leinster brought the Rodney Parade region back down to earth and the next six weeks will shape the campaign.

Hard league fixtures against Glasgow and Munster, a European double-header with Bordeaux-Begles, a trip to Galway to take on Connacht and then a pair of festive derbies with Cardiff Blues.

By 4pm on New Year's Day at the Arms Park we will know how much progress the Dragons have made under Lyn Jones.

But if you were to hold a straw poll to find out if supporters are content with how 2013/14 has gone so far then I am sure the majority would answer in the positive.

They have seen their side win five from six home games and have been treated to three humdingers in cracking atmospheres (Scarlets, Ulster, Leinster).

The fans have been inspired by their team's performances and the team has been inspired by the backing of their fans.

Crowd numbers are up and there has been a Rodney Parade feel-good factor again... and then came the RaboDirect Pro12 fixtures for the second half of the season.

Next Friday's game against Munster will be the Dragons' last home Friday night league fixture this season.

Edinburgh, Glasgow and Connacht will all head to Newport for Sunday afternoon fixtures, no doubt benefitting from the atmosphere being rather more sedate.

The region faces a battle to keep crowd numbers on an upward curve, bar takings will be down as fans prepare for a week of work rather than toasting the start of the weekend while plenty will ponder the benefit of getting season tickets in the future if they are to be shifted around to suit the broadcasters.

And then there is the on-field impact.

Five days after hosting Edinburgh is a trip to Dublin, five days after welcoming Glasgow they head to Belfast, five days after Connacht visit is a flight to Parma.

The Dragons don't have the biggest of squads but the second half of the season is going to stretch them to the limit and will hinder their quest to fare better on their travels and pick up some precious points.

As Alan Partridge said: "Sunday Bloody Sunday. What a great song. It really encapsulates the frustration of a Sunday, doesn't it?"