Bully back for Droylsden trip
Stafford boss Steve Bull is back from the USA and immediately takes his side to Droylsden in the Blue Square Premier tomorrow (3pm).
Stafford boss Steve Bull is back from the USA and immediately takes his side to Droylsden in the Blue Square Premier tomorrow (3pm).
Bully has been away on a business trip, leaving assistant boss Chris Brindley to take charge of the side in his absence, with a 100 per cent record in victories over Blyth Spartans and Alfreton.
The manager took his troops for training last night and is delighted with what he has seen from his players.
He said: "We won the two games I was away for, so i might go back to the States next week and see if it has the same effect! To be serious though, I have been on the phone to Chris at length every day, so I have been kept in the loop every step of the way.
"Now I am back and we go to Droylsden. It is going to be a tough week for us, so we must begin in the right way. We need to apply the same sort of attitude we showed at Alfreton, thinking: 'Come on, we can have a good go at these.'
"I was pleased with the Blyth result as well. Like I have said before, if you can win your home games and at least draw away, you will be in the play-offs at least."
Bully will remember Droylsden from last season, when the two were neck and neck during an ultimately doomed campaign in the Blue Square Premier. But it was Dave Pace's side who finished bottom in the end, thanks to Stafford.
Pace will not forget that. He is somewhat of a legend in non-league circles, such is his impact at the Butchers Arms ground. With him operating as chairman and manager, amongst other things, they were champions last time they were a Blue Square North side in 2007.
Bull said: "Dave must be saving on wages down at Droylsden, the amount of jobs that he does! I am thinking of doing that myself to free up the budget for a couple more players! To be fair to him though, he has done a fantastic job at that football club.
"We were both in the same boat last year. It was a tough season for both of us. Now we are fighting for our lives in the Blue Square North. But thats life. May as well just get on with it.
"I am sure they will want to get one over on us from last season, so it is up to us to make sure that does not happen."
The Rangers boss also had the problems of striker Nick Wellecomme to contend with upon his return to our shores, with the 24-year-old pleading guilty to charges of affray and assault this week.
Bully knew about the charge before it went public.
He said: "I have known about Nick's situation for a bit. I told him that we all do stupid things now and again. We all regret things and we all make mistakes. He has been a silly boy but he has learned his lesson.
"He is my player and I will stick up for him. I wouldn't be much of a manager if I didn't. To be fair to the lad, he is responding the right way on the field."
