Chris O'Leary reckons Wealdstone are a good bet for the Ryman Premier Division play-offs this season.

Last Saturday's 2-1 FA Trophy defeat to Tiverton Town ended Stones' three-match winning run in all competitions but midfield general O'Leary is confident they have what it takes to gatecrash the upper reaches of the table.

And despite a poor start to the season, Gordon Bartlett's men are on something of an upward curve because, says O'Leary, the manager has hit upon an effective starting 11.

"I said at the start of the season we would have to target the play-offs and promotion places," said O'Leary. "Staines had been tearing teams up and we made them look ordinary [in last week's 4-3 win]. If we can carry on playing like that then there is no reason why we can't get into the play-offs this season.

"If you look at the table at the moment not many people will give us a chance, but I believe we've easily got enough to get up there. We've a great group of lads here and the team spirit is fantastic. It's the best squad we've had since I came here and after being 4-0 up against Staines it shows there is no team to be scared of.

"If we get into people's faces no-one can live with us. We've got the right starting 11 now."

And O'Leary, a builder, believes the club have laid solid foundations for the future by giving young, hungry players the chance to shine, the latest being on-loan Watford teenager Marvin Sordell.

"I think James Gray is the oldest member of the squad at 28 or 29, so if we can keep the majority of this young squad together for the next two or three years, then the sky is the limit," he added.

O'Leary certainly wants to be a part of that predicted bright future, after a hellish start to the campaign. Inconsistent form by the former Stones Player of the Season winner resulted in him being dropped from the starting line-up before being placed on the transfer list.

David Hicks replaced him but his shirt-throwing tantrum in the 2-0 defeat at Harlow re-opened the door for O'Leary and he gratefully took the chance with both hands.

"I started the first two games of the season and I did alright against Ton-bridge but had a poor game against Ash-ford Town," recalled O'Leary. "Gordon changed things and I was disappointed, as the results never really got any better.

"I was hopeful of getting back into the side and I spoke to Gordon. I've said all along I just want to play for Wealdstone and never wanted to leave. He was honest with me and said he would not stand in my way if I wanted to go.

"To be honest the time spent on the bench gave me a real kick up the backside," he added of his demotion. "In my entire footballing career I had never been on the bench.

"Last season there were times where I maybe should have been dropped but never was because I was the captain. Now I am in the team on merit."

O'Leary's armband has since gone to Gray and the midfielder appears to be revelling without the burden of added responsibility.

"I think I was trying a bit too hard when I was captain, whereas now I'm playing with a lot more freedom," he commented.

Meanwhile, O'Leary believes their FA Trophy exit could prove to be a blessing in disguise, as they turn their attentions firmly to the league.

"We all know the priority is the league. If anyone asked whether we would prefer to win the trophy or the league, it would be the league every time.

"Progressing in the trophy would have been nice as it gives the club a bit of prize money, but it is not all about that. I'd rather have the players we've got now rather than one or two coming in earning £300 a week. Players on more money don't battle as well."

Stones travel to struggling Heybridge Swifts on Saturday and O'Leary insists he and his team-mates must show the same battling qualities that stunned Staines.

"We tend to raise our game against the bigger sides, but that is not the case this time. We approach every game the same."