Pat Rayment admits that Spalding United are entering uncharted territory as they head into a run of season-defining fixtures.
The Tulips face games against the top two in Evo-Stik League First Division South over the space of four days, as they visit Newcastle Town on Saturday (3pm) and host leaders Mickleover Sports on Tuesday (7.45pm).
Having been vocally critical of his strikers after Tuesday’s disappointing 0-0 draw at Goole on Tuesday, the Spalding supremo is a little worried that an otherwise superb season may fizzle out if they don’t deliver over the coming days.
And Rayment, a former professional with Peterborough United, admits that it’s down to him and assistant Marcus Ebdon, formerly of Everton and Posh, to refocus the players.
The Tulips go into Saturday’s crunch clash in fifth place, which is the last of the play-off places. But with just nine games to go, Gresley and Stafford Rangers are snapping at their heels.
“This club isn’t used to hunting for promotion to step three,” said Rayment. “Neither are a lot of the players.
“It’s a pressure-cooker environment here at the moment and we can’t afford to ease off. I don’t want us to limp over the finishing line after what has been an otherwise great season.
“We may not be going for the title anymore, but maybe expectations had snowballed a little. If you’d have told me we’d be in the play-off places at this stage of the season beforehand, I’d have taken it.
“Tuesday was very disappointing, but that’s gone now. I’ve spoken to the strikers and they’ve taken responsibility for the result.
“I’m now looking forward to two very big games. We know we can match Newcastle, we were robbed – and dare I say cheated – by the referee when they won at our place.
“We know we can beat Mickleover too, we knocked them out of the Doodson Cup.
“But we have to give great respect to both teams, they’ve been up there all season – and that’s no fluke.”
Rayment may have cleared the air with his strikers, but one of those in the firing line on Tuesday has already left the club. Gregg Smith, only signed from King’s Lynn Town a few weeks ago, has been released ahead of a proposed move to Evo-Stik League Premier Division side Stamford.
He’s moved swiftly to replenish his ranks, though, having snapped up versatile midfielder Dan Banister from St Ives Town. The 21-year-old, a long-term target of the Tulips, will be in the squad at Newcastle on Saturday.
With key trio Matt Nolan, Chris Hall and Nathan Stainfield also returning, Rayment is in a confident frame of mind – and has no regrets over Smith’s exit.
He added: “Stamford put seven days in for Gregg and I decided that it was best for all parties if we just let him go.
“Gregg has done very well at step three over the past few years, but I think stepping down was a bit of a culture shock for him.
“He’d be the first to admit that he hasn’t really hit the ground running here.
“We wish him all the very best at Stamford, I’m sure he’ll do well there.
“We are pleased to have done a deal for Dan Banister, he’s a player I tried to sign last year – but he decided to stay loyal to St Ives.
“He’s only young and will bring bags of energy and enthusiasm to the team, as well as a bit of versatility. He certainly gives us options and something a bit different.
“Getting Matt Nolan back is huge for us too. It’s no coincidence that we look like scoring more goals when he is in the team. Unfortunately he’ll miss the Mickleover game, but he’ll start on Saturday for sure.”
Spalding go into Saturday’s game eight points behind second-placed Newcastle, but do have three games in hand on their hosts. The Tulips also have four games in hand on Sutton Coldfield Town in third, but are 12 points behind table-topping Mickleover having played the same amount of matches.
Defeat on Saturday would opener the door for Gresley in sixth. They are two points behind the Tulips, having also played the same number of games.
