Dave Frecklington has urged his Spalding United players to take the chance to make up ground on Evo-Stik NPL First Division South leaders Shaw Lane AFC over the next week.
The Tulips face a tricky away trip to Romulus this Saturday (3pm), before the big home clash with AFC Rushden and Diamonds on Tuesday night (7.45pm).
With Shaw Lane not in league action on either day and having played two games more, Spalding will reclaim top spot if they can win both of their games in hand – while four points would be enough for Frecklington’s men to join them on 31 points.
The Tulips chief admits that confidence is high after Saturday’s impressive 4-0 victory at Sheffield FC , which ended a run of two defeats in a row.
But he’s a little wary of the 3G pitch Romulus use – especially after losing 5-2 to Yaxley on a similar surface in pre-season.
“This is our chance to catch up with Shaw Lane,” said Frecklington. “We’ve got to take advantage of these two games and put some pressure on them.
“November is shaping up to be a very tough month, so it’s important that we use the confidence we gained from the Sheffield win to take at least four points from the next two.
“I’m not going to lie, I don’t like 3G pitches. The Yaxley game was only a friendly, but it didn’t suit us at all. We have got a few more ball players in the team now, so maybe it’ll suit us better.
“Either way, it’s advantage Romulus. They know their own pitch better than we do, so it’ll be tough.
“We’ve then got a huge game with Diamonds, which is one everybody has been looking forward to.
“We go into both games feeling confident.”
That confidence comes from last weekend’s Sheffield success. Frecklington freshened his squad up prior to the clash and has been very happy with the impact of his new signings, both on and off the pitch.
“I felt like teams had worked us out,” added Frecklington. “But the new lads – Conor Higginson, Charlie Gatter and Jack Wightwick – really came in and made a difference, while Danny Durkin offered something different off the bench.
“The training sessions with Terry Fleming really got a great response from the lads too.
“Usually it takes three or four weeks to bed new players and coaches in, but it feels like we’ve managed it in one week.
“I think the changes have given a few of the lads a kick up the backside, too. Yes, we’ve had a great start – but we need to carry on winning games if we want to be in the mix at the top.”
Winger Wightwick is Spalding’s only fresh absentee for Saturday, with Brad Barraclough and Neal Spafford both three weeks away from returning from injury.
Player/coach Chris Hamilton is fit enough to be involved, though.
Saturday’s opponents Romulus, who are based at Sutton Coldfield’s Central Ground, come into the game in eighth place.
They have only lost once at home all season.
Meanwhile, Tuesday’s visitors Diamonds are down in 11th place but do have games in hand on everybody above them.
They have won two of their three away games so far in the league.
