Blackstones bidding to finish in the play-offs in Division One of the United Counties League
Joint bosses Jon Harrison and Ryan Wood want their Blackstones side to become relentless in their push for the play-offs this season.
The Stamford side are currently sitting in fourth spot in Division One of the United Counties League with six matches remaining.
They have a two-point cushion over sixth-placed Clipstone with a game in hand as the race for the top five finish reaches a thrilling finish.
Stones' destiny remains in their own hands but their management team will be urging their side not to take anything for granted after losing two of their last three games.
They were beaten by both Southwell City and Staveley Miners Welfare before returning to winning ways at the weekend with victory over Gedling Miners Welfare.
Harrison said: "The lads will be going into every game knowing that they can't take their foot off it at any point any more.
"We got bitten at Southwell because everyone, ourselves included, probably felt that we were just going to beat them.
"They turned us over and beat us in every department.
"We weren't much better against Staveley and couldn't really put our fingers on it.
"If it had gone the wrong way on Saturday then we could have either been out of the play-offs or just sitting on the edge of them.
"We got what we needed and now we can't take anything else for granted. We need to put the same amount of work-rate in."
It was the terrific endeavours of the Blackstones side that secured their 1-0 away win at eighth-placed Gedling on Saturday.
Stones had Eddie Grunsteins sent off late in the first half but they rallied after the break with a goal from Josh Barrett on the hour mark sealing a superb success.
Harrison added: "The lads were absolutely superb.
"After you've lost two games, if you could have told us which way we were going to win a game then that would be it.
"It was so needed and the celebrations afterwards made it feel like a big moment.
"It was the most the lads have celebrated and been together all season so I've got nothing but praise for them."
Stones were also boosted at the weekend by the return to the club of Martin Tudosa.
Tudosa left Stones in the close season after an impressive campaign to join Premier Division North neighbours Bourne Town.
Harrison explained: "Martin has got past that point where we know that we can trust him to be very consistent.
"He will never turn up and not try his hardest and he wants to win every game of football.
"It's a real positive for us. He had the choice because Bourne wanted him to stay but he wants regular games and fair play to him for that.
"We've got a good squad now and we're at a point where we've got to start leaving the odd person out each week so we're getting as strong as we can at the right time.
"We've just got to make sure that we don't peter out at the wrong time."
Stones host Clifton All Whites at the Seven Bespoke Joinery Stadium on Saturday.
Their Nottinghamshire visitors are 15th in the 19-team division and Stones were 5-1 away winners in the reverse fixture at the end of November which sparked an impressive run.
They won nine of the next 10 games before the double defeat against Southwell and Staveley.
Harrison said: "The expectation of the whole club changed in those weeks and we've found that hard.
"People were talking a few weeks ago about catching the leaders and taking the play-offs for granted.
"Suddenly, you get two losses and the pressure is back on the lads and I don't think everyone around the club takes that very well.
"You can't take anything for granted in this league so we've just got to literally get it done and I'd happily take three or four scrappy wins.
"We want the lads to keep going and just to make the play-offs would be an achievement."
After Saturday's home match, Stones then face back-to-back away games against Sandiacre and title-challenging Retford.
They then host Coalville on Saturday, April 12, before the regular league season finishes over the Easter weekend at table-topping Clay Cross and at home to Holwell Sports.
