Allan Ross and Ian Dunn feel it’s time they got tough with their Pinchbeck United squad.
The management team have been disappointed by recent performances – last Saturday’s 6-0 victory over Stewarts and Lloyds aside – and feel that changes need to be made to the squad.
The Knights are bang in the ChromaSport UCL Division One title picture ahead of Saturday’s lengthy trip to Long Buckby (3pm), with number two Ross admitting that being in the top four by Christmas would really please him.
But just how many of the current squad will still be at the Sir Halley at that point is up for debate. Indeed, striker Corey Kingston has already left to join ChromaSport UCL Division One rivals Huntingdon Town.
Ross said: “Some lads will be gone – because I don’t think the effort has been there in recent weeks. As a management team, I don’t really feel that we owe anything to the players.
“Saturday’s result was great, but some of the damage was already done.
“Long Buckby is a long trip. We need to make a decision if we travel with three subs or five – maybe we’ll disappoint a few of the lads.
“It’s now about Christmas. If we can reach Christmas in the top four, I think that’ll be very pleasing.
“It’s tough. We go out and watch teams, but you never really know what you’re up against in this league. We’ve got to make the Halley Stewart a difficult place to come to.
“Most teams will travel a long way to play us – but we’ve also got to get used to travelling a long way ourselves.”
Player/boss Dunn agrees with his trusted assistant and admits he’s actively looking to bring signings to the club.
“We’re going to toughen up as management team,” added Dunn. “If there’s something to pick a hole in, we’ll certainly pick a hole in it now.
“We’ll actively look to bring fresh blood in, but we’ve got a big squad. So, like Allan has said, there will come a point when we move people on. It’s part and parcel of the job.
“We need to re-focus for Long Buckby, who have changed their manager in the last week. We are entering the unknown again really. They could make four or five signings and we’ll have no idea of what we’re up against.”
Pinchbeck go into the clash in fifth place, with hosts Long Buckby down in 17th. The Knights won the reverse fixture 2-1 back in August.uad
