Looking after number one is key, says Hucknall Town boss Andy Graves

The Yellows boss doesn't want to start making statements about where the club can finish this season when he believes his time is better spent fine tuning performances.

"To be honest, we've just got to keep looking after ourselves and picking up the points as best we can," said Graves, explaining his approach to the East Midlands Counties Premier campaign.

"We're not setting any targets for anything. We just have to make sure our performances are as good as we know they can be.

"I've said to the lads, they've already set a benchmark.

"Anything below that, we have to look at ourselves as we know we can play to a good level at a high tempo.

"If we drop below that, even when we win, we're a bit disappointed."

Graves has been happy enough with his squad's overall start to the current season, but believes there is more to come.

He continued: "It's been positive. We'll just keep trying to do the best we can.

"We've not set targets, we just want to accumulate points and win matches.

"You always get some glass-half-full people who come to watch us, but the majority of people are positive and we're trying to be positive again."

The Yellows return to league action on Saturday as they travel to face fellow top-five side Clifton All Whites.

Clifton currently sit third in the table, four points and two places ahead of Hucknall after picking up four points from last week.

Saturday’s 2-2 draw at leaders Ollerton came after a 3-0 midweek victory at home to Clipstone.

The All Whites have only lost once in their past five matches, their last defeat coming at Heanor, where they went down 2-1.

It was Heanor who defeated Hucknall 1-0 at Watnall Road this weekend, Lewis Weaver getting the only goal of the game in the 80th minute to secure the points.

Saturday’s game offers Hucknall the chance to close the gap on their hosts.

Kick off at the Norman Archer Memorial Ground will be at 3pm.