"WE ARE every team's cup final," says manager Mark Grimley as the Uttoxeter Town boss looks ahead to a "tough November".
The Oldfields outfit, who beat last season's runners-up Wolstanton United Reserves last Saturday, are the only team in Division One of the Staffordshire Senior League yet to taste defeat. Town are currently fourth but enjoy three games in hand on league leaders Henley Town Reserves - and a win in just one of those games would elevate Grimley's side to top spot.
"We are every team's cup final now because of the start we have had," insisted the Town manager. "We've some tough fixtures in November. It's a tough month. If we can come out of November without a defeat then it will be in our own hands. I'm quietly confident."
A run of three successive home games begins against mid-table Sandbach United Reserves today (Saturday) while next month's series of tests also includes a Presidents Cup clash with table-topping Hanley Reserves. And Town will have to cope without star striker Lee Bagley who is expected to be sidelined for around three months due to a long-standing knee injury.
"It's a big blow," admitted Grimley. "When Lee and Tommy (Smith) are playing up front together there's always a believe that even when you're behind they can get you a goal. We've relied a little bit too much on that at times.
"It is a blow but it's also an opportunity for others to step up and show what they are capable of. We have a fantastic little squad here."
Meanwhile, Grimley believes that Town's start to life in the Staffordshire Senior League vindicates the decision to bump the Oldfields outfit straight into the second tier. The Town boss said: "I think the league made the right decision. I suppose it was a gamble for them. But I have no doubt if we'd started in the division below a couple of the players would have thought 'I am not doing this'.
Today's (Saturday) clash with Sandbach United Reserves, at Oldfields, is a 2pm kick-off.
