'No rush or panic' - Dean Gill relishing tough trio as Darlaston Town battle to climb clear
Boss Dean Gill insists there is no "rush or panic" for Darlaston Town to escape danger as he relishes a hattrick of huge fixtures.
The Citizens visit fellow Northern One West strugglers Stafford Rangers tomorrow, with Graham Deakin set to take charge of his first match after the club parted ways with Neil Kitching.
Darlaston sit 20th, now three points adrift from safety, after two wins in their last three games, and face Rangers, high-flyers Avro and non-league giants Bury within seven days.
"It's a really positive start to the year, we are really happy with it, and well deserved," he said.
"I have been confident for a while that we are getting to where we need to get. We have 54 points to play for. We haven't got to be where we need to until the last week of April. That is when we hope to be out of it. There us no rush or panic for us.
"We are really looking forward to the games. If we can come out of them with even a point, that would probably be fine.
"Our season will not be decided by them. If we have to go back a little bit further from safety, then so be it. We have got a plan, we think we know what we are doing.
"Stafford away, who doesn't want to play in games like that, Avro are a really good side, and then managing at Bury, that's the stuff dreams are made of. It's a free week where we can go and express ourselves."
Darlaston face a Stafford side who are winless in 10 league games and have lost seven in a row.
Gill added: "This weekend's game is not a game we have identified as needing points, it will be one Stafford have. It is a free hit for us.
"They have big name players, big crowds, there's no pressure on Darlaston at Stafford Rangers at all, zero.
"Where they are in the league is immaterial. They have an astronomical budget compared to ours.
"If we can get a point there, fantastic, if we can't fine. The pressure is on them."
Elsewhere, league rivals Chasetown visit Shifnal Town looking for their third consecutive win, while Sporting Khalsa host Newcastle Town in an early relegation six-pointer, and in the Northern One Midlands, Lichfield City entertain Mickleover.
Northern Premier League leaders host second-placed Hebburn Town while Rushall Rushall Olympic travel to Warrington Rylands.
In the Southern Central Premier, fourth-placed Halesowen Town go to Barwell, while Stourbridge host Quorn.
And in the FA Trophy Round of 32, Kidderminster Harriers host Morecambe.
