BASINGSTOKE Town manager Jason Bristow wants his side to give their supporters something to sing about as they prepare for two crucial home games.

Dragons fans have given their side excellent backing during recent away games, but the atmosphere at The Soccer AM Stadium for Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Bishop’s Stortford was somewhat flat.

Town play two important home games in the coming week, hosting Concord Rangers on Saturday (3pm) and Bath City on Tuesday night (7.45pm).

Bristow admits that the atmosphere was a little muted last week, but he refuses to blame the supporters, saying that his team must give them something to shout about.

“Our fans have been fantastic all season, but we need to play our part in creating an atmosphere,” he said. “If we had taken one of our chances early on against Stortford, the whole atmosphere would have been totally different.

“We have got to give the fans something to get up and sing about in these next two games. It’s up to us to start the game well and if we do that, the atmosphere will build.

“The players love it when the supporters are on song and right behind them. It really spurs players on. If you get a couple of corners or shots away and they start to roar, you can really feel it building.

“It affects the opposition as well, particularly the goalkeeper and defenders, who are closest to the fans. It can really put them on edge.”

Last weekend’s defeat left Town fourth in the Vanarama Conference South. They are six points behind leaders Boreham Wood, though they have two games in hand, but four points behind second-placed Bromley, having played a game more.

Losing to Stortford makes the upcoming games against Concord and Bath even more important for Town, but while both occupy mid-table positions, they are in really good form.

Concord are unbeaten in seven outings and held Whitehawk, one of Town’s promotion rivals, to a 1-1 draw in their last outing.

Bath have lost just two of their previous 13 games and are in FA Trophy semi-final action on Saturday, travelling to North Ferriby having drawn the first leg 2-2 at Twerton Park.

Bristow said: “They are tough games, but I don’t think that either team will be looking forward to coming here.

“Concord and Bath will both come here with a plan to take the points, but we just need to focus on our job and not get caught up with what they are doing. We have got to be a bit clever if they make life difficult for us.

“The players were frustrated last week, but it’s important that we bounce back against some really tough opposition. Concord and Bath are doing well, so we know it will be difficult, but we are keen to put things right.”