Danny Hussey reckons that Holbeach United’s derby at Deeping Rangers on Saturday is a “massive game” for the prospects of both teams this season.
Two of this season’s big six in the Uhlsport UCL Premier Division will square off at the Haydon Witham Stadium (3pm) – knowing that a victory would have the potential to derail the opposition in the title race.
Tigers boss Hussey, who saw his side win 2-1 at Deeping in the Lincolnshire Senior Trophy quarter-final back in December, is full of confidence with his charges currently on a 16-game unbeaten run.
But he’s expecting Michael Goode’s Clarets to be hungry for revenge – and thinks they are far better than sixth place suggests.
Indeed, Hussey maintains that table-topping Holbeach are punching above their weight in the race for the title and insists he’ll be happy enough just to better last season’s position (fifth) and points tally (69) – a feat they are well on track to achieve.
“It’s a massive game,” said the Tigers chief, who saw his side go top of the table last weekend. “Obviously we’re above Deeping at the moment and were fortunate enough to go top on Saturday.
“It’s always great to go top, even if it’s just for a few days. The reality is that we’re overachieving at the moment, our budget is way below the other five teams in the top six.
“Deeping aren’t a top six team, they are at top three team at least. They have a beneficial arrangement with Peterborough Sports and a better budget than us.
“They’ll also be motivated to beat us as they’ll want revenge after we beat them in the Lincs Cup quarter-finals.
“It’ll be a game that is decided by fine margins, both sides are strong and I’d imagine we’ll approach the game in the same kind of way. Be it a moment of magic, a mistake or a bad refereeing decision, there won’t be much in it.
“We’ll not change anything about the way we play; we’ve not lost in the league since mid-September after all.
“I think the attitude of the players will also be important. If one team doesn’t fancy it, they won’t get anything from the game. And, if either side loses, it’s obviously a big blow.”
Holbeach go into the game six points better off than Deeping, with a game in hand. They are without striker Michael Frew (suspended) and midfielder Luke Avis (long-term injury), but Ryan Oliver and Danny Setchell should be available to return.
Deeping had to come from behind to beat struggling Pinchbeck United last weekend, but Hussey doesn’t feel his side are favourites in any shape or form.
He added: “I can’t say that we are favourites in the game or for the title. I look at Shepshed bringing in two players from Stamford and feel that it’s their title to lose.
“I’d go as far as saying that not winning the title would be a failure for them.
“We’re still massively punching above our weight when compared budget-wise to Quorn, Rugby, Shepshed and Deeping, while Loughborough University are a bit different but still aspiring for promotion.
“We’ll just keep trying to better our efforts last season and I think we’re on-track for that.”
