Glenn Botterill has says the current Sileby Rangers squad has a similar level of team spirit to that of his title-winning Long Buckby side last season.
Botterill led the Bucks to UCL Premier Division glory during the previous campaign, before moving to division one Sileby during the summer.
He’s waved his magic wand again, bringing some of the successful Station Road side to Fernie Fields and guiding them to the top of the step six standings.
Sileby now face a crucial Christmas period, with three successive home games, against Rushden & Higham United, town rivals Spencer and Harrowby United.
And Botterill, who steered his side to a 2-0 win against Olney Town last weekend, believes his men have got what it takes to stick together and grind out the wins before 2013 arrives.
“We were slow to start with this season because we put a new team together and it took us time to get going,” said the Sileby supremo.
“But the momentum’s been coming and we’ve got winners in the team.
“When we score we all celebrate and when we concede we stick together. The team spirit is similar to what we had a Buckby last year. It’s great.”
Sileby’s form, which has seen them win 12 of their 14 league games this season, has made things difficult for them, especially at home.
Botterill says sides now come and shut up shop at Fernie Fields, meaning his men have to get creative.
And he knows the next two teams Sileby face, Rushden & Higham on Saturday and Spencer on Boxing Day, will pose problems.
“(Rushden & Higham boss) Aidy Mann will have them fired up for the game this weekend, “ said Botterill.
“Then we’ve got a local derby against Spencer, who are flying. They’ve done superbly well but we’re at home in both games and we’ve got to win.
“Sides come to us and see the facilities and raise their game. It makes it difficult to break them down but we have been managing to do it.”
Elsewhere in UCL Division One, Bugbrooke St Michael’s host AFC Rushden & Diamonds on Saturday before going to Buckingham Town on Boxing Day.
ON Chenecks go to Buckingham on Saturday before a Boxing Day clash at home to Olney, while Spencer precede their game at Sileby with a home game against Raunds Town.
COGENHOE UNITED
Cooks aim to make mark on top four
Cogenhoe United manager Andy Marks believes his side are capable of claiming a top four finish in the UCL Premier Division this season.
And he is targeting three wins from the next three games as they aim to achieve it.
The Cooks have been in fine form of late, winning six of their past seven league games and moving up to sixth in the process.
They go to Wellingborough on Saturday before a trip to local rivals Long Buckby on Boxing Day and a home game against Peterborough Northern Star three days later.
Marks feels those matches are ‘winnable’ and he is full of belief about where his side could end up this season.
“We’ve got three winnable games coming up against sides who are below us in the table,” said the former ON Chenecks boss.
“I’m targeting seven to nine points from those matches, and that would put us in a good position come the new year.”
LONG BUCKBY
Goodwin: We must be more ruthless
Long Buckby boss Scott Goodwin has urged his side to develop a killer instinct as they bid to beat Desborough Town this weekend.
The Bucks were beaten 1-0 at Sleaford last weekend as they paid the price for failing to convert possession into goals.
And Goodwin is desperate to avoid a similar struggle against Desborough
“Every team we play comments on how well we play, but we’re just not ruthless enough to win,” he said.
“We just need a bit of a killer instinct at times and we’ll need it this weekend.”
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