WARRINGTON Town are “exactly where they need to be” in the Evo-Stik Premier Division table despite being forced to play catch-up with their rivals, defender David Raven says.

Having had several recent games postponed due to their extended run in the FA Cup, Yellows have played up to four games less than teams around them.

As a result, leaders Scarborough Athletic have opened up an 11-point gap to them, but Raven insists the squad are not worried.

“At this moment in time, we’re exactly where we need to be and where we deserve to be,” he said.

“I don’t think we need to start worrying about how far ahead or behind teams we are yet.

“I think we have four games in hand. I’m not quite sure how that’s come about because we’ve been playing Saturday-Tuesday constantly from the start of the season.

“It’s not an issue at the moment. If the gap is still as it is in March or April, then we’ll worry about it a bit more.”

Tuesday's defeat at Nantwich Town was a fifth game in all competitions without a win for Yellows. Picture by John Hopkins

Despite finishing third last season, some observers have been surprised by Town’s impressive start as they contend with the league’s big hitters again.

Raven, who has extensive league experience with Carlisle United, Shrewsbury Town, Tranmere Rovers and Scottish side Inverness Caledonian Thistle, was one of several new players brought in during the summer as manager Paul Carden was forced to almost completely overhaul his squad.

However, the 33-year-old says nobody should be shocked by Warrington’s lofty league position.

“We’ve shown with the games that we’ve won how good we are. The league table doesn’t lie,” he said.

“If you look around the team, there is a lot of league experience and lads who can play in the league but need to prove themselves.

“There’s also a lot of young lads with plenty of potential so there’s a good mixed bag.

“Cards has recruited well, so I’m not surprised by the start we’ve had.”

Yellows sit fifth after an impressive start to the season. Picture by John Hopkins

One of the key components of Yellows’ early-season form has been the partnership Raven has struck up with Mark Roberts in the heart of their defence.

They were central to a run of 15 hours without conceding a league goal and overall, Town’s defence has been breached just once in the league since their partnership formed.

Raven says Roberts is “a pleasure to play with” and opened up on why their partnership works so well.

“We were together in pre-season while we were training with Fylde and we got to know each other really well.

“I signed here first and I was absolutely buzzing when Cards brought Robbo in. It’s been brilliant so far.

“He’s a great lad off the pitch. We’re going through the same stage of our careers at the minute so we’re bouncing off each other.

“It’s good to have him round and I hope he’d say the same about me.

“We’re both experienced lads so we try and make our jobs easier by pulling and pushing people round us.

“We’re not the spring chickens we were 10 years ago, so we just try and orchestrate things and keep a solid shape at the back.

“It makes our lives easier and it makes things easier for the team.

“It really is a pleasure playing with him.”

Raven has struck up a good partnership with Mark Roberts at centre-half. Picture by John Hopkins