Play-off spot is in Gray's sights (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Play-off spot is in Gray's sights

8:00am Thursday 28th January 2010 in

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BASINGSTOKE Town boss Frank Gray believes his side can still qualify for the Blue Square South play-offs – as long as they work hard enough.

The Town boss saw his side keep their slim play-off hopes alive with a fine 2-1 win away at in-form Chelmsford last weekend and says there are a |number of key games coming up – starting with Staines Town’s trip to the Camrose on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

“There are still a lot of games to play so we have a chance,” he said.

“We have games against the sides around us and it is important that we take points off those teams.”

Basingstoke are now eight points off the play-off places and will need to |produce championship-winning form in order to extend their season. However, if they maintain the level of performance that saw them outplay a good Chelmsford side, it might just be possible.

“We have to carry on from the way we played at Chelmsford,” Gray said. “We have got to keep the work-rate up in every game.

“We cannot afford to slack from that. We have got good ability in the side but we need to match that with work-rate.”

Staines have been in fine form and are unbeaten in seven – a run that has seen them climb up to sixth in the table.

They won 1-0 away at Chelmsford on Monday night and, while Town came out on top when the sides last met in early December, Gray is expecting a very hard game.

“We had a good win at their place but that means nothing,” he said.

“They’re on a good run going and we need to pick up our form at home.

“They are a tough side to beat. They are organised and we are in for a tough game. We will have to be at or near our best to get the points.”

Staines are possibly the best passing side in the Blue Square South and Gray says his side may have to accept that they could be without the ball for long periods on Saturday.

“We have got to defend well and will have to keep our discipline because they might have more possession than us,” he said.

“We cannot afford to force things but must keep our discipline and get at them as often as we can.

“We have got to close them down in the right areas as a group. We were able to do that at their place and they created very few chances so we will be looking to do the same again.”

Gray is likely to stick with the formation that performed so well at Chelmsford and is hoping Sean Hankin will recover from a hamstring problem in time to take his place in the centre of defence.

He could be partnered by Ashley Mitchell, who has returned from a trial at Inverness Caledonian Thistle, giving Lewis Christon time to recover from a back problem.

Jide Ogunbote remains suspended, while midfielder Ian Jones has joined AFC Totton on duel registration forms, with defender Adam Aimable going to Tadley Calleva on a similar deal.

However, Gray says that both players remain in his plans.