ALAN Low believes one of the biggest challenges ahead of Wootton Bassett before the end of the season is in their own heads.

Since finishing third in the 2010-11 season, Bassett have largely been stuck in midtable mediocrity in Southern Counties North.

They have been rejuvenated this term, however, and sit second in the table, seven points adrift of leaders High Wycombe, thanks largely to a current 11-game winning streak.

Head coach Low says being viewed as a scalp by their opponents is an unfamiliar feeling to the Bassett squad but that is something they have to get used to if they are to maintain their strong form.

“The biggest thing for us at the moment is to start getting our head around the fact that every team is trying to have a shot at us because we are near the top of the league,” said Low, whose side made hard work of a 29-8 win over Wallingford last weekend.

“Last season we were going into games as the underdogs, whereas now teams will come out trying to take chunks out of us.

“That’s what happened against Wallingford and we were on the back foot for a bit.

“We have got a lot of hard work in the bank and the boys have been going for about eight months as we came in so early for pre-season.

“We are now looking to reinvigorate things before the end of the season.”

On paper Bassett should have no problems securing a 12th straight win this weekend as they are up against second-from-bottom Alchester.

However, the Oxfordshire outfit picked up a morale-boosting second win of the season last time out against Milton Keynes and Low knows his troops will have to be on their game at Fritwell Road.

“Alchester will be bouncing around after that result and we have got a few players missing this weekend, unfortunately. We will be trying a few new combinations and see what that can bring us,” said Low.

“They are an abrasive side and will try to attack the breakdown and slow the ball down.

“We have to look at ourselves and look at how we can get quick ball as when we get it.”

Elsewhere, Swindon College Old Boys are looking to bounce back from a rare defeat in Bucks/Berks & Oxon Premier when they travel to Slough, and Supermarine host Dorchester in Southern Counties South.