Bucks are out to avenge Bradford Park Avenue loss

The Bucks begin a four-match sequence of home games admitting the Yorkshiremen didn't see anything like the real Telford when they last met in September.

Telford suffered a 1-0 defeat at Horsfall Stadium in Rob Smith's third game back in charge. But it was the manner of the defeat that left Smith in no doubt as to the size of his task and prompted the infamous 'we could be in the Evo-Stik' scathing assessment.

"We'd beaten Brackley and then we produced a shocker," recalled Hibbert, who is set to be fit again after a hamstring injury.

"So we owe them one really because I don't think we played well at all that day. Hopefully we can put that to bed."

Four points from their last two games is Telford's best return all season and, after so many false dawns, Hibbert is finally hoping they have turned the corner.

"Totally. We've got to keep believing. We've had times when we've done exceptionally well and other times when we've let ourselves down with shockers," he said.

"Corby springs to mind massively (lost 3-2 after winning 3-1 at FC United of Manchester) and we've got to be consistent. There's been no real consistency and to be successful you've got to be consistent.

"It's no use doing it for one or two games, you've got to do it over a sustained period."

After so long at the foot of the table, Hibbert admits teams may be forgiven for thinking the Bucks are the National League North whipping boys. "It's horrible and awful – it's not what you want to be hearing," he said.

"They've got a right to say that because of our results over a sustained period.

"But we're more than up for the challenge and personally, I thrive on hearing things like that. Hopefully we can redress that tomorrow by getting a positive result."

At 29 and their most experienced player, Hibbert has more responsibility than most and readily accepts a leadership role.

"I'm the oldest and it's important to help the other lads by giving them advice and encouraging them because we've got quite a young team," he said.

"If we concede, heads can drop. So you have to keep motivating the lads."

Despite all his experience, a relegation fight is new to Hibbert. But he reckons they can't afford to be fazed by their plight after so long in the drop zone.

"I've never really been in a relegation scrap like we're in now so it's a bit new to me as well," he said.

"We've been there for a while so we've got to be positive and the gaffer will make sure we're bang at it and giving it our all in every game."

Telford have an injury doubt over Ryan Rowe while Richard Peniket's loan is up.

But Hibbert admits he doesn't expect to start immediately after missing the last two games, with new-boy John Cofie impressing in last Saturday's 1-1 draw at Gainsborough.

"I was really impressed with John – he looked really bright and sharp with his movement" said Hibbert.