It’s time for Holbeach United to kick-start their season after a frustrating run of results.
That’s the view of boss Phil Barnes, as the Tigers bid to ignite their stuttering campaign with back-to-back home wins against fellow strugglers GNG Oadby Town (Saturday, 3pm) and Peterborough Northern Star (Wednesday, 7.45pm).
After winning their first game of the season, a 1-0 Emirates FA Cup success over Kirby Muxloe, Holbeach have lost four and drawn one of their last five outings.
The most recent was a 5-1 home thrashing against Loughborough University in the Buildbase FA Vase, but Barnes is hopeful that his side’s luck is about to turn.
Indeed, a mini-injury crisis and being on the wrong end of narrow defeats to Anstey Nomads and Deeping Rangers have left the Holbeach boss feeling a little hard done by.
But he wants his Tigers to set the record straight and rack up two morale-boosting wins against two teams that have fared even worse so far this season.
“Of course we look at the next two games and feel we should be winning them,” said Barnes. “But the attitude has to be right, without that we won’t win many games.
“I’m not overly concerned by our start. I do feel we deserved more against both Anstey and Deeping and we’ve not been helped by injuries, suspensions and unavailability.
“This is a chance for us to kick-start things and get a few wins on the board.
“I’ll take nothing for granted, though. Yes, Oadby lost 10-1 at Deeping on Saturday but I think the score was 1-1 at half-time.
“Likewise, Star gave Boston Town a good game. We will be favourites, but can’t turn up and expect to win any games.”
Barnes admits that he’s trying to get his side to play through midfield a bit more this season and that the players are adapting to his style.
Having stepped up from manager of the Reserves to first team chief over the summer, he also recognises that he’s having to adapt himself.
But he feels that the results will come and isn’t overly concerned by the slow start.
The boss added: “I’ve asked the lads to play a little differently, I’d like the ball to go through midfield more often.
“Obviously you have to adapt to different situations, but that’s how we want to play.
“That can take time and I appreciate that. I’m also finding the step up from managing the Reserves a different experience, so we’re all adjusting.
“The plan is to try to play good football, so hopefully the results will follow. The lads have been great and things will improve, I’m sure.
“Once everyone returns, we’ll have a strong squad. At the moment we’re a little short, but that should change in the coming weeks.”
Barnes will again be without injured duo Michael Frew and Liam Tunstall, while Joe Smith serves the final two games of his ban.
But Jack Withers and Reif Clarke are ready to return and defender Joe Braithwaite should be back in the squad on Saturday.
