Darren Campion on the up for AFC Telford

But left-back Darren Campion is always up for the fight and insists the Bucks will get it right – starting with tonight's trip to FC United of Manchester.

Campion said: "With the players here now, we're only going to go in one direction – up that ladder. It might be slowly, but it will be surely.

"Hopefully, we can do the same in the Trophy as we did in the league a few weeks ago. But the vibe, here with the lads, is we'll never go down.

"I'll personally vouch for that myself – there's no chance we'll get relegated because it hasn't entered my head since I came here."

Chiefly behind Campion's belief is the high pressing game that manager Rob Smith insists on. It proved hugely successful when Telford won 3-1 in the league at Broadhurst Park 24 days ago.

Campion was left dazed and with six stitches from the sides' last clash after crashing into advertising hoardings behind the goal.

He said: "I played for the gaffer at Hednesford and he's always been one for pressing from the front.

"He wants us to get at the opposition high up the pitch because, if you get the ball back there, you cause them more problems.

"It's always worked, fingers crossed. It all depends on who you're playing against.

"Sometimes the gaffer will say 'You can afford to push on a bit further because this team aren't the best in the league.'

"At the other end of the table, the Solihulls, Fyldes and Nuneatons have more ability, on paper."

Telford and the words 'settled side' haven't been used this season with pretty much two squads assembled since the summer.

They included three new signings for last week's 3-0 defeat at Worcester City – centre-back Liam Slade, winger Sam Austin and striker Nathan Modest.

Modest, like Campion and Paul McCone, has played for Smith before, at Hednesford.

And Campion is convinced the players are behind the management duo of Smith and assistant Larry Chambers.

He said: "There have basically been two sides this season and two gaffers and these two work differently to the last one.

"But the boys he's got here now are here for him – they want to play and push forward and I think the fans see that."

Eleven goals conceded in the last three games suggest Telford have gone backwards recently and injury to McCone hasn't helped.

Campion believes Telford have missed Sean Clancy, who is due to complete his three-match ban tonight but is out for three to four weeks with ankle ligament damage.

He said: "Having a natural left-winger is a bonus. I'm normally not used to playing with anyone in front of me because the gaffer likes to play three in midfield and a lop-sided one.

"But having Clancy there as a left-footer allows me to get forward more to link up with him."