High hopes: Selby Town manager Dave Ricardo still believes his side can finish in the Toolstation NCEL Division One table
A top four finish in the Toolstation NCEL Division One table remains the goal for Selby Town, according to Dave Ricardo.
Ricardo, who was appointed as Selby’s tenth manager in four years during the summer, has overseen an “inconsistent” start to the season.
Selby followed up the excellent opening day win at AFC Mansfield with some good results in the FA Vase, but they sit in 15th position in the league table.
But, Ricardo maintains the belief that his side are capable of big things.
“It’s in our hands,” he told Non League Yorkshire.
“It may sound daft, but I still want to finish in the top four.
“Top six was originally the aim at the start of the season. It’s still there and there are 32 games to go for us.
“I just want to keep going and seeing the progression because the points will come.”
Selby are currently four games without a win in the league which has seen them drop into the lower half.
They do have games in hand on the teams above and Ricardo said: “It’s (the season) has been inconsistent and I’ll take the blame for some of that.
“On Saturday I thought we were better with ten men.
“We just have to get into the scheme of things where we keep our standards high and not being happy with points or being good for 60 minutes then being poor for 40 minutes.
“Our cup form has been fantastic and I think we are a better team when we play against sides from better Divisions because they give a little bit more time to play.
“In this Division, I’ve always said that it is the hardest Division to get out of because all 22 teams are willing to scrap.
“You have to scrap and have the ability to scrap.
“When we scrapped and had the quality, we have had good results. Against Mansfield on the first day of the season we had a cracking result and the performance matched the result.”
Selby will face injury-hit Knaresborough Town tomorrow night three days on from the controversial draw at Worsbrough Bridge.
Ricardo is standing by Nathan Kamara, who is facing a four match ban for his red card at Worsbrough, minutes after he was the victim of an inappropriate comment by Brad Kerr.
Tom Bennett and Ryan Robinson are expected to return as well after missing Saturday. Danny Bunch and Matty Start are also in contention to play.
“We need to win and I would rather play badly and get three points,” Ricardo added.
“Our home form, apart from the Shirebrook game, has been excellent.
“We have beaten some good sides in the league and cup at home so it suits us.”