STEVE Riley considers himself fortunate not to have any preening prima donnas in his AFC Totton squad.

Like all managers Riley has to make some tough decisions when comes to leaving players out, but the response is always positive.

Last Saturday it was Chris Onoufriou who stepped aside, making way for towering 19-year-old Ellis White to line up in central defence for the 1-0 home over Tiverton Town.

But with skipper/defender Rob Flooks suspended for tomorrow’s Southern One South & West trip to Cinderford, Riley has no doubt Onoufriou will put his disappointment behind him and come back firing. “It’s easy to sit on the bench and whinge and be negative, but our players don’t do that,” said Riley.

“Their attitude is spot on.

“There’s a lot of competition for places, but those who aren’t in the 16 play for the reserves and they just get out there and work for their opportunity.

“It would be easy to throw in the towel and just not bother, but when the chips are down you find out about your players. We’ve got a squad of winners with big hearts. They’re all honest footballers.

“Chris (Onoufriou) has been ever-present this season and was disappointed not to play against Tiverton, but hopefully he’ll take out his frustration on Cinderford tomorrow.”

The Tiverton win stopped the rot after four straight league and cup defeats for Totton. They sit third in the table, four points behind leaders Stratford Town with a game in hand.

Cinderford, who salvaged a last-gasp 1-1 draw at home to Sholing last Saturday, are six points adrift of the Stags in tenth. They had a morale-boosting midweek win, however, beating Hereford United 4-3 on penalties in the Red Insure Cup, having drawn 2-2 after extra time at Edgar Street.