Rangers boss keeps side grounded

Stafford Rangers manager Chris Brindley is keeping his players feet on the ground with another stern test on the horizon in second-placed Southport.

The Merseyside club come to Marston Road tomorrow knowing a win could take them to the top of the Blue Square North table but Rangers have found some form themselves, winning three games in a row for the first time since Brindley was appointed boss in December 2008.

It's a run that has catapulted the club from relegation danger and into the top 10, some 12 points clear of the bottom three going into play.

But Rangers had this sort of cushion last season, with a double-figure gap from relegation, but still only managed to secure their safety in the league with a game to spare.

Brindley has learned his lessons from this and is drumming into his squad that, until safety is mathematically secure, this campaign will continue to be about keeping their heads above water.

And with Stalybridge Celtic and a long trip to Blyth Spartans to follow after the visit of the Sandgrounders tomorrow, the manager is playing the long game.

He said: "Southport are a good side and it's going to be a tough game, the lads are well aware of that and no-one is getting carried away by the run we are on.

"We have done well in these last three games, but we have another three tough games coming up and we will have to be at our best to take anything from them. We have put a bit if distance now between ourselves and the bottom three, so it's important we keep that distance.

"The last thing we want is to get sucked back into the relegation mire."