Matt Easton wants to see his Spalding United side get physical with high-flying Tadcaster Albion on Saturday (3pm).
The Tulips, soundly beaten at fellow big-hitters Pontefract Collieries last weekend, went down with something of a whimper in West Yorkshire.
Although Easton maintains that results against the leading sides won’t make a difference to Spalding’s season, he wants to see his side at least make it difficult for their rivals.
“Tadcaster will be very a similar kind of test to Pontefract,” admitted Easton. “They beat a very strong Stamford side last week, which shows how good they are.
“I’ve said it before, but it’s not the kind of game that will define our season.
“However, I’d like to see us compete a bit better. When the opposition is a bit stronger than you, all you can do is work hard and make life difficult for them.
“We’ve got to be rougher and tougher. I’m not saying ‘go out and kick them’. But we can’t just roll over and accept defeat.
“I think we also need to cut out individual mistakes and be a bit more street-wise, if I’m honest.
“This (Tadcaster) is the last of the tough November fixtures. December looks much kinder, but we need to improve and be in a position to win those games.
“I’m confident that we’ll be OK, but we have to try and aim to get something from the Tadcaster game.”
Easton is still chasing new signings, but admits that he has nothing “imminent” ahead of the weekend.
He hopes to have Jack Brownell back after he missed the Pontefract loss due to illness, but George Zuerner (fractured skull) is out until at least January.
