Stafford Rangers boss Neil Kitching wants more passion from his players

Rangers lost 2-1 at Hednesford Town in the El Staffico derby on New Year’s Day.

That made it back-to-back losses for Kitching’s side – who are now 17th in the Evo-Stik Premier.

They make the short trip to 20th-placed Rushall Olympic, where Kitching used to be manager, on Saturday.

“I don’t think there was a lot between the two sides on New Year’s Day,” said the Boro chief.

“It was two poor goals that we conceded, individual errors. We played marginally better in the second half and we had some good chances.

“It’s fine lines at the minute – we are not taking our chances, and we’re giving away sloppy goals.”

Losses to Hednesford and Workington followed on from a 1-0 victory against Stourbridge on Boxing Day.

“I do think that we have been better in recent weeks, we had a good Boxing Day result against Stourbridge,” said Kitching.

“The last two games we haven’t been particularly bad, we just haven’t quite done enough.

“Wholesale changes are not needed. We have just got to eradicate the errors we have been making.

“We need continuity now and to stick with the group we have got, to get back to winning ways and get back on a run – and hopefully that starts on Saturday.”

Kitching had a successful spell in charge of the Pics.

He won the Walsall Senior Cup three times with them – in 2009, 2011 and 2012.

He also clinched the Staffordshire Senior Cup with them in 2014.

Ahead of returning to Dales Lane, Kitching said: “We will be up for it.

“I was bitterly disappointed for my players on New year’s Day.

“I didn’t think we were too bad and I thought that we deserved to win against Workington, but talk is cheap.

“We need to start scrapping and fighting, show a bit more passion.

“We have got to dig down deep and win ugly, do whatever it takes.”