Bootle manager Brian Richardson hopes his side can take advantage of the teams above battling it amongst themselves.
They return to action after a number of postponements with a trip to Ramsbottom.
The Bucks sit nine points off the play-offs as they look to build on their win over Marine at the end of 2021.
A midweek friendly against North West Counties Premier Division title-chasers Skelmersdale United saw players get minutes in the legs.
Richardson noticed the difference in the lack of competitive matches from his side so found the test a welcome one.
“I was glad we got a friendly in against Skem midweek because we hadn’t kicked a ball for two weeks and you can see a massive drop off in quality as soon as you’ve had a break,” he told Off The Park.
“We’ve done as best as we can, we’ve got 45 minutes minimum and hopefully that’ll let us kick-on on Saturday.
“We’re taking it as it comes we know the side are capable of doing well, it’s a case of how well we respond to the second half of the season, if we can tackle it the way we tackled the first there’s no reason we can’t be amongst it.
“There are some big games coming up with teams above us playing each other which always means someone’s going to drop points.
“It’s just a case of when you’re in that position you focus on yourself and let the results take care of yourself then what will be will be.
“That two weeks break is no good for footballers [what he learned from the friendly] it happens at every club, it’s how you get into it and how quick.
“I’m fairly confident we’re as equipped as anyone in this league to miss two games, the way we work we’ll be looking to make it an excuse, you’ve got to give it your best train your best and see where it takes you.
“We have no control over results from other areas but we certainly control our results so that’s the thing to do right till the end of the season.”
The January transfer window only holds substance for teams in the football pyramid.
But with transfers at the forefront of discussion outside of non-league, Richardson expressed his happiness with the current squad but hinted at an extension for Matty McDonald who is due to return to Warrington Town following his loan spell.
“Every manager’s the same, if a better can improve your squad becomes available you’re always going to be interested but you’ve got to ask yourself, why’s a better player become available?
“It normally means they’re not getting in where they are, depending what level they’re coming from is whether you take interest, if they’re coming from our level or below and they’re not getting in you’re not getting massive interest but if you’re coming from higher you’re always going to have an interest because they’re capable of coming down a league or two and doing a good job.
“You’ve always got to be wary, but the squads looking strong, we’re a biggish squad and I think that can create its own problems internally but we do our best to make lads get games so when they do come back in they’re in a position to help the team.
“Everybody being on board accepting there will be ups and downs in every players season, some stage they’re on fire and other stages they drop off and that’s when it’s handy to have a good job.
“I feel at the moment they’re capable of playing well and I feel quite good about that because it means we’re not quite far from what we want.
“We’re hoping to extend it [Matty McDonald] and Matty’s benefitted from minutes on the pitch, it came at a time we had injuries in that earlier.
“I think it’s conversation we’re still having with Matty of where we want to go with it but we’re hoping to extend his loan because he’s playing well.
“That’s up to all three parties to agree on, time will tell.”
