Joint-boss Danny Clifton has told his Holbeach United side that they need to improve defensively if they are to kick-on this season.
Clifton was extremely disappointed with the Tigers’ second-half showing in the 4-1 FA Vase defeat at Pinchbeck United on Saturday and placed the blame squarely on conceding poor goals.
Having watched Spalding United’s 4-2 win over Yaxley on Monday, Clifton highlighted the peformance for Tulips’ defender Nathan Stainfield as something his players need to aspire to.
“I watched the Spalding game on Monday and Stainfield was everywhere,” said the Tigers boss. “He won everything in the air, blocked all that he could and was always talking, especially to his full-back.
“You can’t train players to be like that, they just are. Perhaps we need to look for a new defender with those attributes, but it’s an attitude we want to breed at the club.
“I think we’re looking good going forward now, we’ve got goals in us. But we can score all the goals in the world and it won’t matter if we can’t defend properly.
“The next five games for us are all in the league and we need to get some kind of consistent form going.
“I’ve always said that this season is about building a foundation as we rebuild the club. That has to start in defence.”
Holbeach have two games this week, starting with Haverhill Borough at Carter’s Park on Saturday. They then move on to an away clash at Downham Town on Wednesday night (7.45pm).
