CREATIVE lynchpin Jai Stanley is convinced Worcester City possess the right ingredients to stay up -- though he admits the club is staring at a Nationwide North relegation dogfight if they lose today.

Stanley, 26, has almost dismissed the notion of City achieving a play-off spot following the St George's Lane club's disastrous run of form.

They have gleaned just two points from a possible 24 in a slide down to 16th in the table.

Last Saturday's goalless draw at Alfreton Town, which earned player-boss Preece his first point since taking charge, provided plenty of promise as Worcester aim to steer clear of the bottom three.

But City are just five points from Stalybridge Celtic, who sit in the relegation zone, and defeat to fellow relegation candidates Vauxhall Motors would put them further in the mire.

"Looking at the table, if we lose against Vauxhall we are not talking about the play-offs any more," said Stanley. "We are talking about a relegation fight and we don't want that.

"I'm always looking to be positive and I'm really confident that we will get out of this. If in a month's time we string a few good results together, then maybe we can have a look to see if the play-offs are a possibility.

"But, right now, it's all about doing enough to stay in this league."

Club record signing Stanley believes the weight of expectation piled on City's players contributed to the demise in form at the turn of the year.

However, he is confident Worcester's management team of Andy Preece and Andy Morrison will bring about a much-needed change in fortunes.

Stanley said: "I think towards a month ago, there was a lot of unmentioned pressure. I think we all knew that we were trying to get a play-off position.

"Everybody seemed to be playing as if the weight of the world was on their shoulders. We can't realistically get into the play-offs now and there is no fear in our play.

"I think the thing that has changed, and it is not down to anybody in particular, is the way people in the team are playing. It is almost fearless. People have got to play for their shirts now that the new manager is here and everybody wants to get hold of the ball.

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"We played well at Alfreton last week and I think we can go on from that. I think what we've tried to do is cut out any sort of play in the wrong areas and concentrate on playing in the right areas."

After a sterling individual performance in Derbyshire, Stanley has regained his confidence after coming back from a second knee operation at the club.

He added: "It's been a difficult month and a half for me. I think as regards to my fitness, I remember John Barton saying a while ago that it would be towards the end of January when I would feel 100 per cent match fit, and he was right.

"I'm getting my confidence back. I will keep going out there and trying my best."