Upbeat Holbeach United manager Danny Clifton reckons that the coming weeks will be decisive for what the club can achieve in the Uhlsport UCL Premier Division season.
The combination of derby fixtures against Deeping Rangers (home, Tuesday, 3pm) and Pinchbeck United (away, January 3, 3pm) and a possible influx of new talent has the new Tigers boss feeling excited about the festive period.
Clifton admits that positive news on and off the pitch could provide his side with the platform to launch a great escape from the drop zone.
But he’s very much aware that two more defeats and a lack of fresh talent will leave Holbeach staring down the barrel at relegation.
Indeed, losing star talent Aaron Eyett to Boston Town on the eve of Saturday’s loss to Skegness Town showed Clifton just how hard it will be to entice quality to Carter’s Park.
“I’m expecting a busy week,” said the Tigers boss. “We’ll find out if the people we’ve approached to come here are interested in signing.
“Transfer-wise, we know that we need to add goals to the team – that’s very apparent.
“We’ve got to look to try and outscore teams, as we’re not solid at the back or getting goals and I’m not sure we can really attempt the defence first policy at this point.
“Losing Aaron was expected, really. I need to earn the respect and trust of experienced players before they want to play for me.
“Hopefully that will come in time and we can entice some of the experienced local players back here.
“I understand that many have left in recent months and we have to accept that and move forward.
“Everybody here should be excited about the two derbies that are coming up. They are the kind of games you want to play in as a player and I’m looking forward to them as a manager.
“If we can get positive results and bring a few players in, maybe we can look to play for that third-from-bottom place.
“But, if things go the other way, it will be hard to see us getting out of the mess we find ourselves in and relegation will be a very realistic future that we will have to come to terms with.
“I’m excited to get the lads that are here on the training pitch and attempt to get some kind of rapport and camaraderie going.
“I’m not sure they’ve trained much together as a collective group, but it’s important that we create a positive atmosphere.”
Holbeach go into the Deeping game ten points from safety and 19 shy of Rangers in 11th.
The Pinchbeck game is the biggest one of the two, given that the Knights are currently just above the drop zone (third from bottom) and have played a game more than the Tigers.
The South Holland duo drew 0-0 in the reverse fixture at Carter’s Park.
