Pitmen target top 10 by New Year as McNally looks to stop rot
Hednesford Town boss Bernard McNally is targeting a top-10 position by the end of the year for his Keys Park side.
The Pitmen are without a win in five games in all competitions and their run does not get any easier tomorrow as they welcome third-placed Solihull Moors.
The Autotech Stadium side were early runaway leaders in the National League North before slipping back after a poor run of form.
Former Albion man McNally said: "When you talk about gaps between divisions, this level is a big jump. There are no easy games. There's not one you look at and think 'this is an easier one'.
"After Solihull we have Bradford Park Avenue and Fylde.
"Fylde are second and no-one wants to go to Bradford.
"But for us at the moment every game is a battle and is vital.
"It's a very tough league to survive, but we want to pick up points sooner rather than later and get ourselves into the top 10 by January.
"That will set us up well."
After rash decisions cost his side in recent weeks, the boss has reminded his players not to give away anything soft.
He added: "We can't give away any stupid free-kicks and penalties.
"They need to be sensible.
"We got ourselves level against Nuneaton and gave away a shirt pull for a penalty
"Sometimes with young players it can be frustrating and you do suffer with them. You have to be patient.
"All of the tough fixtures have come at once but we need to be positive.
"We can't afford to be negative. The players must be resilient.
"The good thing in football is there's always another game."
Tom Thorley has had a successful operation on his cartilage but will be absent for four to six weeks and fellow midfielder Phil Trainer is set to miss out through suspension.
