The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Bullish Spalding United boss Dave Frecklington is refusing to press the panic button after a run of four games without a win in Evo-Stik NPL Division One South.
The Tulips were the early pace-setters in the division and only lost for the first time on October 15, but are now six points off the top in third place.
Frecklington admits that Spalding’s stellar start raised expectations for everyone involved with the club, but isn’t overly concered by what he calls an “inevitable blip”.
Saturday’s 3-2 home loss to Stocksbridge Park Steels was again littered with costly individual errors, though, and that is something the Tulips chief is bothered by.
“Obviously, we’re all disappointed by the recent results,” said Frecklington. “But this blip was inevitable.
“Every team will have a blip at some stage in the season. But we have to take stock – we’ve only lost four of our 17 games and are really well placed.
“Our start to the season got everyone excited, myself included.
“We’ve got to get the competitive edge back within the squad. The amount of individual errors we’re making at the moment is incredible.
“Our defending on Saturday was very poor, but we were missing a few too many. We’re not like a Stamford, who have a massive squad to use.
“We’ve been our own worst enemy and have switched off too many times – but we’ll be working on that for sure.”
Next up for the Tulips is a trip to mid-table Basford United on Saturday (3pm).
The biggest test awaiting the Tulips is their 4G pitch, but Frecklington wants his side to strut their stuff.
Frecklington added: “Basford are a good side. They also play on a very good 4G pitch, which obviously plays into their hands a little.
“We need to go their and stick our chests out a little. We’ve got to play our way and have a really good go.”
Nathan Whitehead returns from his ban, while Nathan Stainfield and Neal Spafford could both return from injury.
But Jason Field is banned and Brad Barraclough and Conor Higginson are at least two weeks away from returning.
There could also be a new face in the squad, with Frecklington eyeing a new left back in the form of former favourite Adam Jackson, who is set to join from rivals Holbeach United.
