Football
League success has not surprised me - City boss

Buy photos » City boss Carl Heeley (s)

MANAGER Carl Heeley insists he has not been surprised by Worcester City's impressive end to 2011.

A run of six league games unbeaten, including three successive victories, has propelled City to within a point of the play-off places.

Their emergence as genuine play-off contenders has taken many by surprise, but not Heeley who alongside assistant Matt Gardiner, has masterminded their league success.

"We are a decent side and I'm not surprised we are doing well," Heeley said.

"We believe in ourselves and once you get to that point where you win two or three games it can become a bit of a habit.

"We are getting to that stage now where we are starting to go out onto the pitch expecting to win games of football. That brings a little bit of arrogance, but there are enough people ready to criticise you when things are not going well so we will go out there believing we can win every game."

City had to produce another typically rousing fightback to secure their latest victory over Gloucester City on Boxing Day, overturning a goal deficit to win 2-1 in front of 1, 501 supporters at St George's Lane.

And Heeley is confident his side can complete a festive double over Gloucester when they meet again at Cheltenham's Abbey Business Stadium on New Year's Day (ko 3pm). "I think going to Cheltenham will suit us," the City boss added.

"We know exactly what they are going to do. They are going to make it difficult for us and get in our faces but I think we can go there and win the game."