The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Brett Whaley wants Spalding United to put a season-long problem to bed on Saturday.
The Tulips have proved they can match any side in the Pitching In NPL Midlands Division this season – as shown by last weekend’s 0-0 draw with free-scoring leaders Ilkeston Town.
That leaves ninth-placed Spalding 16 points shy of the play-offs, which was their original aim at the start of the season.
But Whaley believes the results against sides below them in the table are to blame for falling short of that target – a list that includes draws against Histon and Wisbech Town and two losses against Yaxley.
Next up for the Tulips is another home clash as they welcome relegation-threatened Sutton Coldfield Town to the Sir Halley on Saturday (3pm).
The 17th-placed West Midlands side are 11 points clear of the relegation play-off spot with eight games left, so will be looking for a victory to ease any lingering fears of going down.
In the reverse fixture, the scores were locked together at 1-1 thanks to a very late Sutton equaliser back in September.
Whaley wants to see his side take command of the game and break the mini-hoodoo that has cost the Tulips key points this season.
“I’ve seen lots of improvements from this group of players in recent weeks and months,” said Whaley.
“We’ve proven we can match the big boys and set up to be hard to beat.
“But Saturday is a different test, the kind we’ve struggled with this season.
“Can we set up to dominate a game and play on the front foot? That’s what I’d like to see on Saturday.
“We’ve got ourselves in a position to finish in the top eight now – and I’d like to see us push and and try to nick another place if we can.
“But I do think that our results against teams below us – and those struggling at the bottom – are the reason why we’re not pushing for the play-offs now.
“Sutton Coldfield will be full of confidence after two wins on the trot, but the onus is still on us to take control.
“We’ve become a very solid team in recent weeks, but now we need to win a game differently.”
Whaley will still be without suspended midfielder Stefan Broccoli for Saturday’s game, after he also sat out the Ilkeston draw.
Right back Scott Floyd went off injured early in the second half of the same game and is rated doubtful.
Top scorer Jordan Macleod is also pushing for a recall after being on the bench for the last two games against Ilkeston and Belper Town.
