Upbeat Spalding United boss Dave Frecklington feels that his side aren’t too far away from rediscovering their dazzling early season form.
Despite losing four of their last five Evo-Stik NPL First Division South fixtures, the Tulips’s steely showing at Basford United on Saturday was packed full of positives for the Spalding supremo.
The return to fitness of long-term absentees Brad Barraclough and Neal Spafford, coupled with a much more compact defensive performance, left Frecklington happy enough.
He now wants a “back to basics” approach from his charges at lowly Loughborough Dynamo on Saturday (3pm), with three points all that matters.
“We need to go back to doing the basics well,” said the ex-Lincoln United chief. “Individual errors have killed us this season.
“Loughborough haven’t had the best time of it in the league this season, but I really don’t care how we perform there.
“I just want three points and I don’t care how we get them.
“Saturday felt more like the start of the season. We almost had a full strength side and looked hard to beat. That’s how we need to be on Saturday.”
Meanwhile, Adam Jackson will make his latest Spalding debut after a deal to re-sign him from Holbeach United was concluded.
The Tulips had hoped to field the left back at Basford, but Frecklington was left frustrated by the Tigers going back on their decision to waive the usual seven-day approach.
He added: “I wanted to keep Jacko in the summer, but he decided to leave. I think the time is right for him to come back and I know he’ll improve our defence – that back five know each other inside out.
“I must admit, I was a little disappointed with Holbeach not waiving the seven days. I thought we had a good relationship there after loaning them Jonny Lockie and playing a pre-season friendly.
“It was a disappointing situation really.”
