'It's been a punch on the nose' - Neil Kitching urges unity as Stafford Rangers aim to halt losing run
Neil Kitching has urged Stafford Rangers to stick together as they aim to end a losing streak he labelled as a "punch on the nose".
Rangers suffered their third consecutive defeat last weekend, going down to Northern One West giants Bury, which saw them slip to 10th in the table.
Kitching’s side return to Marston road for the first time in almost a month tomorrow, as they host Bootle aiming to get back to winning ways.
“We had that nice little run where we were four unbeaten and that is what we have got to get back to,” said Kitching.
“It will be nice to be back in front of our home fans. We have done well at home.
“We have had a little punch on the nose with a series of defeats. We have to stick together as a club and a team to make sure that we try and pick up two positive results at home and keep the board ticking over and to try and maintain confidence.
“It is not just the next home games, it’s the next five or six games that we want to get an unbeaten run in. But, there are things to work on and improve.”
Stafford have conceded 10 goals across their last three games, including surrendering leads at both Bury and Sporting Club Inkberrow the previous weekend.
Kitching added: “I am not going hard on the whole defence because it is the whole team. Defensively we haven’t been as strong as we can be.
“It has been a strength of ours since we walked through the doors, so it is a little concerning. Having said that, the goals that we have conceded have been individual errors that have cost us.
”We have got to tighten up on it. Three or four weeks ago there was concern that we weren’t scoring enough goals, we have worked on that and think we have got the top end right, but now all of a sudden we have looked a bit leaky.”
Elsewhere, Darlaston Town will hope to fair better than Stafford did last weekend as they host the two-time FA Cup winners Bury. The Citizens have lost their last four league matches - similarly to 21st-placed Sporting Khalsa who travel to Trafford.
Second-placed Chasetown will look to continue their impressive start to the season away at Runcorn Linnets. Mark Swann's side are unbeaten in their last five league games, conceding once during the run.
In the Northern One Midlands, seventh-placed Lichfield City visit Wellingborough Town in search of back-to-back wins.
