Cox is staying focused on Kettering’s main aim for the season

The Poppies have been in impressive form recently as they turned in fine displays at play-off contenders Boston United and Brackley Town over the festive period, despite only picking up one point for their efforts.

But Kettering were at it again last weekend as Michael Richens’ goal earned them a 1-0 victory over Farsley Celtic, who had started the day in sixth place in the Vanarama National League North.

The Poppies have been galvanised since Cox took charge and a run of just one defeat in 10 league matches has helped them move five points clear of the relegation zone.

But the tough tests keep coming as Kettering head to sixth-placed Spennymoor Town tomorrow (Saturday) before hosting fourth-placed Brackley in a re-arranged game at Latimer Park on Tuesday night.

And while Cox has been delighted with his team’s efforts against higher-placed opponents, he insists the main aim must be to ensure they finish outside of the bottom two.

“What I don’t want to do is take my eye off our goal for this season, which is to keep this club in this division,” the Poppies boss said.

“That has to be the main objective and to do that we have to get to a certain points total and to get there we have to win some more games.

“The good thing about us is that we are showing a high level of consistency at the moment.

“Our performances over the Christmas period deserved more points than we got and then, in the Farsley game, it showed we do need to be a bit more ruthless because that game should have been put to bed early on.

“We know it’s going to be a different animal at the weekend.

“Spennymoor had a tough start but they have got themselves up there and they are a team, especially at home, who get good results.

“We know how tough it’s going to be but I still want us to go there, play our game and try to impose ourselves on them.

“If we do that, then I think we are a match for anyone in this division on any given day.

“It just seems to be at the minute that every time we play a game it’s against a team who are in the play-offs or going for promotion.

“But we have to cope with it and our preparation is key for this one. We have to make sure we do the right things before the game.

“We know it will be a tough one but we have had a run of tough matches and this is another where we can go and test ourselves against an opponent who are looking to get promoted.”