Published: Thursday, 10th September, 2009 3:00pm

Bateman hoping to banishing dark days

Football

Head held high. Steve Bateman.

BANISHING the dark days is what Steve Bateman is trying to do at Slough Town and build a winning mentality.

The recent run of four victories in a row is something that was not achieved last season and the squad is looking impressive.

"The players want to be here and pursue the target that we've got for this club," commented Bateman. "Can we get out of this division? It is my target.

"I think most people would accept a significant improvement on past seasons, but that's not for us.

"We have come here with a winning mentality and I think the supporters are seeing that now and that's what I want for this club.

"The dark days are hopefully banished and we will continue to work hard at it.

"I have got a job that I'm really enjoying at Slough. They've got great support and it's nice to be able to give them something to smile about.

"My aim is to replicate what I did at Hemel here, I trust these boys and I've got to know now the new boys that we've brought into it. I already knew what I wanted to keep from last year and that combination is excellent.

"It's not all about ex-Hemel, I thought Danny Murphy was excellent again today (Saturday) which gives me headaches because Ryan Fenton was our first choice left-back until he picked up an injury pre-season, but he is working really hard to dislodge Danny from that starting XI. That's the kind of healthy competition I want.

"Without saying that we are going to win this league, I would be very disappointed if we didn't have a big say in it. That's the target I've set the players."

See Friday's Observer for full story.