GARY Hackett says it is players and not formations which hold the key to Stourbridge’s success.

The Glassboys saw their eight match unbeaten run brought to an end with a 1-0 defeat at fellow Southern League Premier promotion challengers AFC Totton on Tuesday night.

Some fans have called on the manager to play a more attacking style but Hackett says formations are irrelevent compared to the performance of the players.

He said: “We play 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 and have taken teams apart.

“That was the formation we played when we put five past Evesham earlier in the season.

“The subject only gets brough up when we don’t win.

“At the end of the day, players make formations work.

“It doesn’t matter what formation you play if the players are not there it won’t work.

“At Totton I could not question the effort our lads put in but in the end we did not create enough chances to trouble their defence.”

Hackett is hoping to bring in a new player before Saturday’s trip to Arlesey Town but remained tight-lipped on the identity and even which position they play.

Meanwhile the manager confirmed there had been no firm offers for any of his own players, after scouts from Leeds United watched the Glassboys beat Oxford City 2-0 last Saturday.

After they trip to Arlesey, Stour visit St Albans City on Tuesday, another side who have hope of making the play-offs.

Hackett believes the congested nature of the league should make for a thrilling final month.

He added: “If you look at the bottom of the table, half of the league could get sucked into a relegation battle.

“There are probably only a couple of teams who aren’t aiming high or looking over their shoulders.

“Pretty much everyone we will face has something to play for. They are all going to be big games.”