DOUBLE HEADER: Three Positives and Three Negatives From Notts Outlaws 4th set of T20 Blast games

Friday night's chase at Canterbury once again demonstrated the composure within the batting line-up as the Outlaws hunted down 185 with eight balls to spare, before Sunday's trip to Grace Road produced arguably their most complete performance of the tournament as they dismantled Leicestershire by 74 runs.

Those victories have propelled Peter Moores' side to the top of the North Group and, after a miserable start to the campaign, the Outlaws suddenly look like genuine contenders once again.

Here are three positives and three negatives from Nottinghamshire's latest Blast double-header.

Positive #1 – Five wins have created genuine momentum

Momentum is everything in T20 cricket and right now nobody in the North Group appears to have more of it than Nottinghamshire.

Five consecutive victories have completely transformed their campaign. What looked like a season drifting away after three straight defeats has become one where the Outlaws suddenly set the pace.

Perhaps the timing of the Championship break has actually worked in their favour. Confidence is flowing through the squad and the players now return knowing qualification is firmly in their own hands.

The challenge now is making sure they continue to keep this momentum going, they have given themselves a great chance of making the knockout stages on their own terms as playing at Trent Bridge will no doubt give them an advantage.

Positive #2 – Different players are winning matches

One of the biggest differences between the opening weeks of the competition and now is the spread of contributions across the side.

The batting no longer feels reliant on one or two players, while the bowling attack has consistently found match-winning performances from different individuals.

The chase against Kent required calmness and composure throughout the innings, while the victory over Leicestershire showcased just how dangerous Nottinghamshire can be when both batting and bowling click together.

That variety is what separates good T20 sides from outstanding ones and bringing in Mohammed Amir might be a masterstroke that will get them though and its an even bigger bonus that he doesn't count as one of their overseas.

Positive #3 – The overseas signings continue to justify every penny

If there was any doubt over Nottinghamshire's overseas recruitment, it has long since disappeared.

Mohammad Ali continues to provide control and wicket-taking ability with the new ball and at the death, while George Linde has become one of the competition's most valuable all-rounders.

Whether it is slowing the scoring rate, breaking partnerships or contributing important runs, Linde repeatedly influences matches. The Outlaws have had overseas players in the past who have been passengers but these two are driving the campaign.

If we also add in George Munsey and Amir, the shrewd signings by Peter Moores are clearly paying off and have propelled them to the top and they have a huge chance now to really go far in this year's T20 Vitality Blast.

Negative #1 – Can Joe Clarke now kick on?

It almost feels strange to include this as a negative given Nottinghamshire sit top of the group. The captain has shown glimpses of returning to form but there is still a feeling that his best T20 cricket is yet to arrive this summer.

The encouraging thing is that the Outlaws have reached the summit without Clarke needing to carry the batting. Imagine where they could go if he suddenly explodes into life.

He's had starts in this latest set of games, if he can turn his down T20 campaign around, Notts are going to be so dangerous and turning a diminishing negative into a positive is a really big possibility.

Negative #2 – Is Benny Howell doing enough?

This remains the one selection debate that refuses to disappear. Howell has contributed without ever really stamping his authority on matches and there are still players waiting in the wings capable of offering something different.

Lyndon James, Farhan Ahmed and, when fully fit, Brett Hutton all provide genuine alternatives. The fact the side continues to win makes changes unlikely, but it is probably the one area of the XI that still feels open to discussion.

Negative #3 – Don't get carried away

Five wins on the spin and top of the table naturally creates excitement. However, the North Group remains incredibly congested and a couple of defeats could quickly change the picture.

The Outlaws have earned the right to be favourites for qualification but they haven't achieved anything yet. The next objective is making sure this excellent run ends with a home quarter-final rather than simply scraping into the knockouts.

It's all in their own hands now and i'm sure Peter Moores will keep his side grounded.

A fortnight ago Nottinghamshire were trying to rescue their Blast campaign.Now they are setting the standard. The transformation has been built on better decision-making, greater depth throughout the squad and overseas players who are making exactly the impact expected of them.

There are still improvements to make and tougher tests to come, but after five straight victories and top spot in the North Group, the Outlaws have put themselves in a position every county would have wanted at the halfway stage.

Now comes the difficult part. Turning early promise into a genuine Finals Day challenge.