NORTHWICH Victoria manager Andy Preece expects his players to bounce back from their midweek mauling when they travel to Hinckley United tomorrow.

Vics lost 5-2 at home to Droylsden on Wednesday.

“Nobody – not least us – saw that coming,” he said.

“Everybody was disappointed in themselves because we know what our capabilities are and it was an opportunity to pick up points against one of the teams we’re trying to catch.

“We need to start better and be more focused on Saturday, that’s for sure.”

Preece told the Guardian he took heart from his team’s second half showing after he reverted to a 4-3-3 formation following the introduction of Mark Danks.

Vics’ top scorer found the net within three minutes of coming off the bench, but the hosts’ hopes of a comeback were dashed following Ryan Clarke’s dismissal.

“I think the improvement was more down to a change in attitude shown by the players rather than the system they played in,” he said.

“Of course they know the 4-3-3 shape and have been comfortable in it this season but more important than that is they believe in their ability.

“There will be a chance this weekend for one or two people to come back into the team and stake a claim for a place. I hope they do exactly that.”

Skipper Simon Grand is suspended as punishment for his red card at Farsley Celtic a fortnight ago, while Wayne Riley sits out the game too after picking up his fifth booking of the season in the same game.

Preece will send his team out with a point to prove too after their meek surrender at home to Hinckley just three days after their heroic FA Cup run came to an end.

“That was a pretty miserable night all around,” he said.

“We’re eager to put that right this weekend, even more so after losing to Droylsden, because we need to make up ground to the teams above us.

“But it’s another tough task for us because they are very strong at home as proven by the fact that they have lost only once there this season.

“Having said that we’ve not done too badly away either, so we can go there with confidence.”

Indeed, Vics last lost on their travels in the league back in September.

They are unbeaten in seven games since.

Hinckley, however, have only tasted defeat once in front of their own fans and that was in the first week of the current campaign.

“There are one or two things that I didn’t feel we exploited too well when we played them last time,” added Preece.

“I’ll be expecting that to change this weekend.”

His opposite number Dean Thomas faces a selection dilemma too with top scorer Adam Webster and captain Richard Lavery out injured.

Stopper Paul Lister is suspended too.

"Tomorrow is a game we want to go out and win and keep up our third place in the table,” said the Knitters’ boss.

“We have two matches in three days coming up and we want something out of all of them.”