Rayer has targeted a top two finish with Bedford

Bedford Blues boss Mike Rayer has told his squad to shape up after suffering back-to-back defeats in January.

The Blues have lost to Championship play-off rivals Worcester and Cornish Pirates but recovered to beat Neath in the British and Irish Cup.

"There are areas we need to address after Pirates and Worcester," Rayer told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"It was always going to be a tough month, we knew that, it left us a bit flat but we got back to winning ways."

Rayer's men remain second in the Championship, 17 points behind runaway leaders Worcester, but are now just one point clear of Pirates in third.

When you come up against the Worcesters of this world we are not just a million miles away, we're a million pounds away Bedford Blues boss Mike Rayer

"I suppose the most disappointing thing about both of those games is we didn't impose ourselves with our attacking rugby," he added.

"You can look for all the excuses in the world but unless you get all the basic skills right you can't get the results off the back of it."

Bedford host Nottingham on Saturday, with both sides harbouring aspirations of winning the play-offs and claiming the sole promotion spot to the Premiership.

But Rayer accepts that stopping Worcester from returning to the top flight is a difficult task.

"Let's not kid ourselves, we've got a clientele to take on most sides in the division," he said.

"But when you come up against the Worcesters of this world we are not just a million miles away, we're a million pounds away.

"Most sides behind Worcester are grasping at straws if they think they can turn them over, now that might sound negative but I think that's the reality.

"They're such a superior side to everyone in the division they should win it comfortably."

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