STEVE Riley says concentration is key as AFC Totton prepare for the second in their quartet of heavyweight showdowns against the Southern One South & West’s top four.

After losing 2-1 at second-placed Taunton last Saturday, the Stags will welcome third-placed Evesham to the Testwood Stadium tomorrow.

By an unlucky quirk of the fixture list, they then hit the road to fourth-placed Stratford on Tuesday before returning to their Salisbury Road base to tackle leaders Merthyr Town next Saturday (March 7).

Looking back on the Taunton defeat, Riley said: “We competed really well, but Taunton have been nicking games by the odd goal and that’s what good teams do. It’s not just luck, it’s something you work at.

“Maybe we just need that bit of extra know-how to stop teams capitalising on one or two mistakes and lapses in concentration, “Our lads are developing all the time and hopefully we’ve learned from our mistakes over recent weeks.

“We’ve got some tough games coming up against sides who are right up there and we’ve got to make sure we concentrate and don’t switch off.”

After a bright start to the new year, Totton have slipped to 12th after banking just one point from their last four games.

Given the calibre of this week’s opposition, it will be a tall order to climb out of mid-table any time soon, but Riley is pleased with his players’ development.

“I’ve seen the progress from last season to this and that’s why I like the job,” he said.

“It gives you a bit of pride and satisfaction as a manager when you see the lads getting better and better.

“They’re all good lads, they put in the effort, they’re fit boys and they all want to play.

“When they’re not in the side, they’ll come and have a chat to me and I like that. It’s nice to know it means something to them.”

Tenacious midfielder Liam Gilbert returns tomorrow having been unavailable for the Taunton trip and joins a fully-fit Totton squad.

“Liam gives us that bit of leadership and it will be good to have him back,” said Riley.

“I’ve always worked with small squads, like I had at Bashley, and keeping them fit is all about getting the right balance.

“I read a lot of managers whinging about injuries in The Echo, but coming from the background of a Navy PTI, I ask myself are they training the players too hard or resting them properly?

“Players need a rest sometimes to keep them ticking over and we’ve got that balance right this season.”