Aylesbury’s club coach believes they are in for a fierce battle when they face basement dwellers Slough in the South West Division Southern Counties North match on Saturday.
The Ay’s have experienced mixed fortunes this season sitting close to the relegation zone in 10th (two spots above Slough) but having beaten the likes of title contenders Reading Abbey.
Dave Larham said: “Every team I have taken there (Slough) has always come up against a very competitive team.
“Going there I will be at least expecting a performance against a team that’s struggling.
“They are bound to have something up their sleeve. They always seem to find that extra 10 to 15 per cebt against us which makes them very hard to beat.”
Larham said while the Ay’s would be considered favourites he wanted to see a vast improvement in their back line.
“We didn’t offer much of a threat out wide (against Reading) on a wet and muddy pitch.
“We are expecting a bit more from our back line. We have got pace out wide and we have got a creative midfield.
“But until the referee blows his whistle and you know what you are playing against you don’t know what will happen.
“It would be nice to move the ball around a little bit more though.”
The Ay’s have had an extra weeks break after upsetting the previously unbeaten Reading 26-14 and Larham added he would have rather been playing straight away.
Despite a host of injuries making consistency difficult for the Ay’s, the club coach said he still believed they could on in the second half of the season.
He said: “We were pretty aware we weren’t going to set the world alight this season.
“But it’s about building for next season. I would like a comfortable high table finish this year, like 4th, 5th or a 6th place finish. We want to be above halfway.”
The Ay’s travel to Slough on Saturday (kick-off 2.15pm).