Bullish boss Seb Hayes wants his Holbeach United side to step up and prove they deserve to be mentioned among the Future Lions UCL Premier Division title favourites this season.
The Tigers have endured a mixed start to the season, having lost two of their four league games so far and been dumped out of the Emirates FA Cup by rivals Deeping Rangers.
Holbeach do have the chance to right one of those wrongs this Saturday, when South Lincolnshire neighbours Deeping make the short trip to Carter’s Park (3pm).
Hayes is adamant that the 3-2 defeat at the Haydon Whitham Stadium last month – which he felt his side should have won – won’t affect his team ahead of the derby duel.
But he wants to see his talented team respond to last Saturday’s tepid 2-0 defeat at Rugby Town (see page 44) with a victory that could ignite their campaign.
“The FA Cup game will have no bearing on this one,” insisted Hayes. “It’s a derby game, we need no extra motivation.
“Whatever was said last time, they beat us – and that is that really. Deeping went on to get a great home draw against AFC Rushden and Diamonds, fair play to them.
“We’re a strong side at home, so it’s time to show what we’re capable off.
“We need to make sure that we do the business and get ourselves back to winning ways.
“After the start to the season that we’ve had, I think it’s important that we step up and go through the next two games unbeaten.
“If we want to be in the mix at the top end of the table, we need to start showing a bit more.
“The squad is different to last season – we have a lot more quality, but the team is still adjusting to what I want from them.
“We’ve been a bit too open at times. I expect my teams to dig in and keep their shape, which is something that we’re not quite as good at this year.
“When you improve the quality of the squad, sometimes you lose that work ethic. It’s something we can certainly look to improve. Last year we had that in-built work ethic, but not quite as much quality on the ball.
“The quality of the team isn’t up for debate, though. If we can improve off the ball, I’m convinced that we’ll be fine.”
Hayes is hopeful that keeper Ricky Drury will return to his squad after missing the Rugby defeat. Teenager Joe Tarris, signed on a short-term from Stamford, will again deputise if required.
Striker Will Bird should return after missing last weekend’s loss, too.
Meanwhile, Holbeach have been drawn away at Future Lions UCL Division One side Blackstones in Lincs FA Senior Trophy.
They’ll begin the defence of their county crown at the ALH Recruitment Stadium on November 14.
