The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Tom Roberts admits that he’s actively looking to strengthen his attacking options at Holbeach United.
The Tigers face something of a selection crisis ahead of Saturday’s home clash against ChromaSport UCL Premier Division rivals Kirby Muxloe (3pm) with only 12 players available.
Strikers Josh Ford, Tommy Treacher and Jake Clitheroe are all unavailable, while Aaron Eyett is facing eight weeks out with an injured ankle and Tom Gosling is banned.
That leaves only player/assistant manager Andrew Tidswell and the versatile Jordan Thomas as Holbeach’s fit attacking options – and although both are top talents, they’ve been deployed in different roles this season.
Roberts has slapped seven-day notices of approach in for two UCL Premier Division strikers, while also submitting an approach for a midfielder currently plying his trade in the league.
He’s hopeful of adding to his options ahead of Saturday’s game as Holbeach bid to bounce back from Saturday’s shock home defeat against Rothwell Corinthians (see page 37).
“Our options, particularly in attack, are quite short at the moment,” conceded the Tigers chief. “We’ll probably need to add to the squad – and I’ve got a few approaches in.
“I’m talking to people all the time, but nothing is ever guaranteed. We are down to the bare bones for Saturday.
“Kirby Muxloe are a very good side, so it’ll be tough for us. They like to get the ball down and play, which is quite tough at this stage of the season.
“Maybe that’ll suit us, I don’t know. One thing is for sure, we need to improve on Saturday’s showing.”
BANNED: Tom Gosling (right) will miss Saturday’s clash with Kirby Muxloe. Photo by JAKE WHITELEY
Despite having now lost two home games on the bounce, Roberts doesn’t believe Holbeach’s hopes of winning the title have been hit too hard.
The Tigers chief has refused to talk up his side’s title chances since replacing Darren Jarvis at the helm in early December and is still very philosophical about what can be achieved.
He does, however, rue the fact that his fifth-placed side haven’t been given the chance to catch up with their games in hand. The fixture list doesn’t have them down to play a midweek fixture until at least March – meaning a busy end to the season is looking increasingly likely.
Indeed, the Tigers have only played 22 of their 42 scheduled league matches and are in the last eight of the UCL KO Cup. That means they could have to fit 23 games in before the start of May.
Roberts added: “I’m not overly concerned by our position, we’re still fifth. I don’t think Saturday’s loss will affect us too much, nothing has changed.
“I would like to see the league give us a few midweek games, we really need to catch up on some fixtures before they pile up.
“Sadly, it doesn’t seem like that will be changing any time soon. There’s nothing we can do about it.”
Holbeach go into Saturday’s game some ten points behind table-topping Leicester Nirvana with a game in hand. They are also three points ahead of opponents Kirby having played a game less.
Meanwhile, Roberts has confirmed that former Holbeach favourite Adam Jackson has signed dual registration forms with the club.
The left back, a regular starter for South Holland rivals Spalding United, was an unused substitute in the 2-1 defeat against Rothwell on Saturday.
He is, though, expected to stay with the Tulips as they bid to secure a place in the Evo-Stik League First Division South play-offs.
