THE good news for City fans is tomorrow's Stafford Rangers clash will definitely be on - short of an Ice Age developing overnight.

Chairman Dave Boddy says there are no plans for a pitch inspection but there could be a steward's inquiry if John Barton's team fail to perform again after a lack-lustre Boxing Day showing at Moor Green.

Optimists will point to the point gained at the Moorlands but horizons and ambitions have to be raised if Worcester are to enjoy a meaningful run-in for the rest of the season.

First hurdle exits from the FA Cup and FA Trophy have focused attentions on the league and to some extent the pressure will be on Barton and Co to deliver the goods.

Year on year improvement has been the set aim by the St George's Lane management team since they took over but they will require a strong end to the campaign to be able to achieve that this time round.

Barton's three full seasons in charge have netted eighth, eighth and sixth league positions which leaves City aiming for a minimum of fifth spot this time round. Can they achieve it? Well after such a topsy-turvy first half of the campaign I wouldn't put money on it.

But then in the cold light of day, you sit down and reel through the names and, on paper at least, it looks a good squad.

There are some proven players in there, players that Barton insists, and I don't disagree, would be snapped up if they became available but if a top five finish is to be realised then Barton must coax a few more performances out of his players.

Chief among those will be the likes of Adam Wilde, David Foy, Pat Lyons, Mark Owen and Darren Middleton - these have all been plagued by inconsistency.

Wilde in particular could be the difference between finishing in the top three if the winger can shake off the torpor that seems to have engulfed his game.

Fast, skilful and possessor of a fine shot, Wilde has disappeared into his shell to become a shadow of the player that opposing clubs would put two defenders on to keep him quiet.

He is not hurting defences as he did when he first arrived at the club but the key to Barton and City continuing to make progress could well lie in getting Wilde firing on all cylinders again.