ALTHOUGH John Barton is a user of the managerial ad-age of not looking beyond the next game, it's worth observing that the next few weeks could prove to be the most critical period in Worcester City's season.

Tonight's battle at Vauxhall Motors is clearly at the forefront of Barton's mind right now, but the direction that City's season ultimately takes may hinge on the outcome of their next three or four matches.

City are currently lying 12th in Nationwide North after completing one third of the campaign and no doubt supporters hold varying opinions on the club's early season progress.

So far, the St George's Lane faithful have sampled the high of a nine-game unbeaten run achieved, at times, through attacking football and a bucketful of goals from chief protagonists Leon Kelly and Adam Webster.

What has followed though is the depressing low, including a four-match losing streak, taking in a rapid FA Cup exit at the hands of Cambridge City and a sudden failure in striking the onion bag.

It seems Worcester are slowly but surely finding their feet again, with battling draws at home to Alfreton Town and away at Southport proving City can match the big boys toe-to-toe.

However, draws don't land clubs promotion and City have clocked up eight from 14 league games so far. They will need to discover that winning touch if dreams of Conference football next year are to be fulfilled.

Struggling

Victory over the struggling Motormen in South Wirral tonight, coupled with a triumph against Altrincham this Saturday, and City will catapult themselves back in the frame heading into November.

On the other hand, if City falter on both occasions, their slippery plummet down the league ladder will gather at an ever-increasing pace.

They are only five points clear of third-from-bottom Stalybridge Celtic and two bad results could see Barton's boys sucked deep into the wrong half of the table. What a nightmare Hallowe'en that would be.

So where exactly are City heading this season? Will they become play-off contenders? Will they get caught up in a relegation dog-fight? Or will it be a year flirting around in mid-table?

There is enough quality in Barton's squad to suggest a top-eight finish is within their grasp. But the manager needs his strongest side week in, week out, to achieve this.

It will be early December when Danny McDonnell and Jai Stanley emerge from the treatment room, while Barry Woolley's broken jaw won't heal until Christmas and beyond. That can't come soon enough.

The return of Mark Owen and John Snape is a timely boost for Barton and both played influential roles in an encouraging team display at Southport.

Owen was sharp, lively and inventive at Haig Avenue, adjectives which fans will hope the striker maintains throughout the season, while Snape proved instrumental in the heart of Worcester's midfield.

Both will need to be at their consistent best if City intend to climb back up the table.