Non-league preview: Stafford skipper O’Neill says each game is a ‘must win’
Stafford Rangers skipper Jimmy O’Neill says each game until the end of the season is a “must win” given their dire situation in the Northern One West.
The Rangers sit five points adrift from safety, and face, potentially, successive relegations if their current form continues.
Stafford have lost five of their last six league games and were beaten 4-2 by Sporting Khalsa in the Staffordshire Senior Cup midweek.
Two weeks on from Dale Belford’s resignation as manager, Graham Deakin remains in interim charge for tomorrow’s six pointer against fellow strugglers Wythenshawe at Marston Road.
Captain O’Neill knows the importance of the clash, saying:“It’s huge, of course we want to win every game but we look at some games where we felt we had just been done out, but every game now is a must win game.
“We can’t be looking at games thinking we will take a point, obviously with the position we are in we can’t afford to lose points.
“They are just ahead of us and will be looking to gain some ground and we are looking to climb up and out of the relegation zone.
“It is definitely a six pointer, but I think if we do win it needs to be something to build on.”
Several directors at the club insisted and told supporters “we will not go down” during a question and answer session.
Following last weekend’s defeat to table toppers Widnes, Deakin said players were lacking in confidence.
But, O’Neill said the Rangers must remain positive entering each game if they are to turn their season around.
“We have to be, like anything if you dwell on something you are going to stay down,” he added.
”The lads will look at themselves individually and collectively and understand that it isn’t good enough and then we have to regroup, we have no choice.
“If we are not positive then we will be the architects of our own downfall, so we have to be positive and look to get three points in every game.”
Meanwhile, play-off hopefuls Hednesford Town visit Clitheroe looking to extend their unbeaten run to five league games while Chasetown, of a place below in sixth, host City of Liverpool.
Elsewhere, in the Northern One Midlands, Sporting Khalsa travel to Grantham Town while Darlaston Town entertain Shepshed Dynamo and relegation threatened Lye Town go to Wellingborough Town after Richard Ball was appointed manager on a permanent basis. The Flyers sit 19th, six points from safety.
