Graham Deakin urges Stafford Rangers not to "over-hype" Bury clash
Boss Graham Deakin has urged Stafford Rangers not to get caught up in the occasion or "over-hype" their clash with Northern One West giants Bury.
A bumper crowd is expected at Marston Road tomorrow as third-placed Bury - who were expelled from the Football League in 2019 - visit a Rangers side winless in 11 league games.
New US-based investors at Stafford will also be in attendance as Deakin's side will look to turn their form around and climb out of the relegation zone.
Asked about his message to the players, Deakin said: "Not to over-hype it. Bury are in the same league as us. It is not an FA Cup game where someone from four divisions higher is coming.
"Yes, they have got significant financial resourced and we are up against some players who have signed from a lot higher levels because financially they are able to do that, but when we go into the game it is 11 vs 11.
"It will be to have that belief to go and put on a show. What we have got to believe in is what we work on in training, if we can get better off the ball, then we will be better on it.
"I want them to play with freedom. Go and enjoy it, if you've got to win games of football, go and play with a smile on your face."
Deakin secured his first victory since returning as interim manager in midweek, as Rangers beat Lichfield City on penalties in the Staffordshire Senior Cup.
He says he has already seen clear improvements in his side.
"We conceded a goal last weekend which was a bit of a fluke, and the two we conceded midweek were penalties," he added.
"From open play we have been a lot more disciplined with our shape. We have tried to be harder to beat.
"We were a bit slow out the tracks against Lichfield. But, it's a group that was trying to find its feet. It has been really low in the past couple of months with results.
"But, the potential we showed in the second-half, there are lots of positives to take and there were some really good individual performances."
Elsewhere, 18th-placed Darlaston Town host fellow strugglers Congleton Town in a huge six-pointer as they look to build on their draw at Bury and move clear of danger. The Citizens are a point above the bottom four.
Sporting Khalsa, who sit 16th, visit 21st-placed Wythenshawe Town in another crucial clash at the foot of the table, while play-off chasing Chasetown travel to leaders Lower Breck.
In the Northern One Midlands, Lichfield City travel to Rugby Town looking to avoid a fifth consecutive defeat. Ivor Green's side have failed to score in each of their last four losses.
