Bury Town assistant manager Christian Appleford is pleased that his side have two very tough games coming up.

The Blues, who have lost their five Ryman North games, travel to fourth-placed Thurrock this afternoon (kick-off 3pm), before hosting league-leaders Maldon & Tiptree next weekend.

Bury have dropped to 11th place in recent weeks, with defeats to high-flying Cheshunt and AFC Hornchurch, as well as losses to two teams similarly-positioned in Norwich United (eighth) and Phoenix Sports (10th), and Waltham Abbey (18th).

Therefore, the odds might be against Bury picking up anything against Thurrock and The Jammers, but Appleford is relishing the test.

“There’s no doubting that they are both very tough games, but that is what we want,” said Ben Chenery’s right-hand man.

“We know that, on our day, we can compete against the best teams in the league.

“For me, I would much rather us play the good teams now while we are on this run as opposed to playing the struggling teams, where we would play with nerves and anxiety.”

Of the team’s recent run, Appleford said: “Of course the results have been disappointing, but we’ve had a few poor performances as well as a few unlucky ones.

“When you are in a bit of a slump like we are, everything seems to go against you, but the squad have enough about them to turn it around.”

Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat to Phoenix certainly epitomises Appleford’s thoughts.

“We should have won the game,” continued the assistant.

“We had enough chances to, and were very unlucky. We would have scored four or five against them on another day, but the signs were very positive.”

Bury will be without Bradley Barber this afternoon as the midfielder was sent off against Phoenix for two bookable offences and now serves a one-match ban.

But, tricky winger Noel Aitkens returns to the fold following his suspension, while Leon Ottley-Gooch is hoping to be involved as well after a knee injury.

Young midfielder, Regan Pelling, who recently joined on a month’s loan from Leiston, could start after coming on and playing well against Phoenix.