by Pete Oliver

Northwich boss Dino Maamria is in confident mood

Vics virtually needed snookers to avoid the drop when Maamria was handed the reins, initially on a temporary basis, at the end of September.

Northwich had taken just one point from their first nine games prior to the departure of Neil Redfearn as boss, and that was extended to double figures before Maamria, who had signed as a player in the summer, was asked to help out.

Faced with the threat of administration, Northwich finally secured their first league win at the end of November.

But with Maamria's appointment made permanent, and new owners in place at the Marston Arena, things have since looked up. And following a hectic bout of transfer victory, Maamria insists relegation can still be avoided.

"There's every chance. We are third in the form league and if we can maintain that until the end of the season I am still confident we can stay up, no question," he told BBC Sport.

"This season altogether we have used over 40 players but if you look at the team against Weymouth in our last match there were only two players who have been here all season. That's a massive change.

The opposition is a lot more worried when they play us than they were a few months ago Dino Maamria

"I did not finalise my squad until the end of January and we have been working very hard on the training ground. Hopefully that is showing.

"With my team the form table will probably tell you we are in the top 10. It's easy to say, but I'm convinced that if we had the chance from the start of the season we would not be in this position.

"But we are where we are and we have to deal with it. We have some teams looking over their shoulders and the opposition is a lot more worried when they play us than they were a few months ago.

"We have got a team together that is playing to a certain level and we have to maintain that."

Northwich have lost just one of their last eight games to climb up to third from bottom of the table - and have taken 11 points out of a possible last 15.

They remain six points adrift of Weymouth in the last safe spot and missed a trick when conceding two late goals to draw 2-2 with the Terras on Tuesday in the middle fixture of three crunch home games.

"When you are down there you don't win many games so confidence is fragile," Maamria admitted.

Everyone will write us off but we will fight every inch of the way with everything we've got to stay in the league Dino Maamria

"All teams down there look fragile and it was two points dropped. But we can bounce back against Farsley Celtic on Saturday.

"This is a big week for us and if we get seven points out of nine I would have taken that."

After Farsley, the Vics then face three successive away games and three of their last four matches are against sides likely to be in the play-off frame.

But they are at least within catchable distance of four other clubs now that Halifax Town are facing a 10-point deduction to join Weymouth, Farsley and Altrincham in the mix.

Ironically, the signing of striker Darryn Stamp from Halifax has given Northwich an extra edge up front in his partnership with fellow former Chester striker Lee Steele, who has hit a hot streak of seven goals in five games over the last month.

And after looking also-rans for the first half of the season, Maamria believes the Vics are still in there swinging.

"Everyone will look at the table and say Droylsden, Stafford Rangers and Northwich are down. Everyone will write us off but we will fight every inch of the way with everything we've got to stay in the league.

"I have played at this level for a long time and every game is winnable. There are a lot of points up for grabs," added the 36-year-old former Doncaster, Stevenage, Southport and Rushden striker.

606: DEBATE We're the only team at the bottom with any kind of form. Alty, Farsley & Weymouth - be afraid.....be very afraid..... TrickyMark

Maamria, a former Tunisian Under-21 international, is still registered as a player but has not pulled his boots on since October.

He has committed everything to management and has no regrets at taking on the 'impossible job'.

"This is what I want to do for the rest of my life. It's hard work but I'm not complaining," he said.

"No manager takes over when everything is perfect and rosy. It's a challenge, but I have always loved a challenge.

"It's a good challenge and a learning curve for me. I have taken a team from the bottom of the table and we'll see where it takes us.

"But wherever we are next season, I will make sure we are in the top half of the table."