THERE might be a few problems currently behind the scenes at Stockport County, but club skipper Michael Raynes and his team-mates remain extremely positive going into the second half of the League One campaign.

Following a hugely impressive opening 23 games of the season, the Hatters currently sit proudly in seventh place in the table following last May’s dream Wembley play-off final promotion victory, and there’s still plenty to get excited about between now and May.

Raynes told the Express: "The mood dropped a little bit following the two Christmas defeats, but no-one would have expected us to be where we are when the season started.

"The lads have worked really hard so far.

"We really need to look at the bigger picture though. We’ve come up through the play-offs, and while we maybe haven’t got the same off-the-field structure as the likes of [fellow promoted sides] MK Dons and Peterborough, we’re more of a working club.

"Those teams have got plenty of money behind them, but we’re just working hard both on and off the field just to keep afloat really.

"And the lads are flying, everything’s going well and we’re taking every game as it comes.

"The lads are buzzing, we’re all enjoying our football. There aren’t as many expectations as there are on some other clubs, so we’re just getting on with it.

"We’re a bunch of young lads enjoying our game, and nothing could be better than that in my eyes."

While team spirit may remain high at present, and of course that’s good news, Raynes is prepared for one or two possible departures during the transfer window though.

He added: "The position that the club is in means that we’re not always going to be able to hold onto players if a decent offer comes in, we’ve seen that over recent years.

"Some of the lads have been outstanding this season, so if big money became available I don’t think the club or the lad concerned could turn it down.

"You never know in football though. We’ve seen similar scenarios where players have gone and maybe shouldn’t have, and moves which haven’t worked out.

"But if someone leaves we’ll just keep going."

Finally, Raynes revealed that he is delighted to be back fit again, ahead of schedule, following his latest hamstring injury four weeks ago.

He would have been available for selection for last night’s [Tues] postponed game against Cheltenham.