TNS travel to Bala Town tonight (Friday) with manager Scott Ruscoe backing his squad to get the season back on track.

The Saints boss has targeted 18 points from their next six games ahead of the mid-season split in January as TNS play catch up to Barry Town United and leaders Connahs Quay Nomads.

Ruscoe underlined the importance of a positive December.

“This is a really important run of games now,” said Ruscoe. “We have Newtown, Cefn Druids twice, Llandudno and Bala on Friday night,” he said.

“I’ve told the lads that it’s six games before the split and the target has been set for them to take all those points available.

“They have to do their bit now. We haven’t been on a great run in November and they know it’s vitally important that we get back to where we need to be so we have to have a 100 per cent record.

“We should be looking at that but it’s fair to say we haven’t done as well as against the supposed weaker teams.”

Ruscoe insisted he was not alarmed at not being top and backed his squad to beat Bala Town.

“I know that we should be getting maximum points from the next six games,” said Ruscoe who remained wary of Bala despite TNS’ dominating the fixture in recent years.”

“Bala are a very up and down side who can go on a run of five with a win and then not win for five too,” said Ruscoe. “They don’t always have momentum but have some very good individual players.

“They have quality in the squad added to the boys who have been around for a few years as well to help with their stability.

“They probably should be doing better than they are.

“Last year we won four from four but this year, we’ve played them once and drawn and they were a lot better than last year.

“They have improved but like I said to my boys, let’s make this the start of our run ahead of the split.”