GRAYS Athletic manager Jamie Stuart says his in-form side are “quietly confident” of dragging themselves out of the relegation quagmire and moving up the Ryman Premier League.

Following a wretched start, Blues have won four of the last seven and, although still bottom of the standings, are just four points from safety.

And, despite Monday’s 3-0 defeat at Staines Town, Stuart says his players believe in their ability.

“I am pleased at the moment,” he said. “I tried to get the team competing and working hard for each other. We have added quality with (Joao) Carlos and Keiron Bishop, who is scoring plenty of goals.

“I wanted the team fighting and hence why the results are improving. If you have a good team spirit then come periods like this you can make up ground against the mentally weaker sides.

“I want to keep the boys confident and, prior to the Staines game, we were the in-form side. Teams won’t want to face us at the moment.”

And Stuart said he wishes the season had begun two months ago, after a wretched start to the campaign saw them win just twice in their first 21 league games of term.

“If you look at the league it doesn’t show that yet but that was because of the start we had,” he said.

“I wish our season started two months ago. Every game is important and the table doesn’t lie.

“We are fighting but are quietly confident. We deserve these points and I don’t want to look too far ahead. It is a young group and I want to take pressure off them.”

Grays have also announced that the new date for the supporter ownership celebration event will now be on Friday, February 3.

It will be held at The Chadwell Village Hall, in Waterson Road, in Chadwell St Mary from 7.30pm.

For more information on the club’s community share programme, visit the club’s website at graysathletic.co.uk/a/gafc-share-offer-47494.html.