ADAM Webster is hoping Worcester City have put the bad times behind them as they head into the New Year bidding to put their season firmly back on track.

The St George's Lane club have grappled with inconsistency to survive in touch with the leading pack but Webster is confident they have turned the corner after a poor run of results stretching from September to the latter end of November.

"The way it was going we'd had a bad run, confidence was low and the belief there at the start of the season had gone," said Webster.

"But the wins against Weston, Eastbourne and Sutton were a turning point and the confidence and belief is there again if not the performances.

"We still need to improve our consistency but the results have turned round and to be honest I'm glad it's going this way because last year we were winning a lot but when it came to the New Year and we couldn't win anything.

"This time round hopefully we've got our bad run out of the way and we can enjoy a decent run at the most crucial time of the season through December, January and February.

"If we can do that we can get the results to put us back where we want to be which is up there challenging."

Phil Robinson's Stafford Rangers stand in the way of City's mini-revival and will be a formidable obstacle for Barton's team to negotiate on New Year's Day if recent results are anything to go by.

The Marston Road side are unbeaten at St George's Lane in the last three years and last year managed the league double including a 3-0 win to rain on City's centenary celebrations.

"I think they've become a bit of a bogey side for us but to be fair they were a pretty decent side last year," added Webster.

"I haven't seen them play this year but I imagine they are still a good team.

"The league is very close this year and every game is a test but I'm confident we are capable of beating anyone if we play to our potential.

"Our problem has been doing it week in, week out. One week we look like title contenders, the next it's more like a relegation team.

"People have commented on our inconsistency and we do need to find a level of performance on a more regular basis."

Goalkeeper Danny McDonnell is due to return to the side for the Stafford match after completing a one-match ban following his dismissal at Marine in the FA Trophy.