Michael Clegg has admitted he has been left frustrated by Warrington Rylands’ recent run.
Rylands endured a mini-dip in recent weeks after their formidable response to their opening day defeat to Radcliffe. Their win over Ilkeston last weekend ended a run of three matches without a win (two draws and one defeat).
They remain in the hunt for the playoffs, sitting third – level on points with Saturday’s opponents Worksop Town, 10 points off Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson’s side at the top.
“It’s been a little bit frustrating because the Bamber Bridge and Lancaster game, on chances, we should’ve and could’ve won,” Clegg reflected speaking to Off The Park.
“Against Guiseley I thought we were worthy of a point but square pegs (in) round holes, we had lads missing and I feel that injuries caught up with us.
“We went to Ilkeston on Saturday with a fresh squad and I thought it was the start of the second third of the season again, we looked fresh and hungry.
“Guiseley was a low for us, everyone looked tired, carrying knocks and a game too far but we look refreshed and ready for a good push. It has come at a really good time for us.”
Following the numerous changes at Gorsey Lane last season, Clegg took charge of the Blues and managed to steer them to within touching distance of the playoff spots.
This time around, they’ve been among the form teams for over 10 matches but the challenge for Rylands now is keeping the pace with those chasing, he admits.
“At the start of the season, I didn’t think we’d start the season so well but now we’re up there, we want to stay there – that’s the challenge for the lads,” the Blues boss added.
“We’ve got some big, big teams behind us in Worksop, Macclesfield, Marine and Hyde, all established football clubs, we’ll do our best to fend them off but I’m under no illusions there will be times we’ll lose football matches.
“As a team, our work ethic and everything we’re doing off the ball is second to none. We’ve conceded 13 goals in 16 games and four of them were in one game, that’ll tell you as a team were defensively sound.
“It tells you data-wise we’re good at doing that but we also have to be more ruthless going forward.
“We’re making some games hard Bamber Bridge, Lancaster we’ve missed two sitters in the last 10 minutes and on the back of that, Guiseley but that was more like it at Ilkeston in Saturday.
“We didn’t create a lot of chances but I thought we were worthy winners with how we controlled the game.”
[Featured image: Warrington Rylands – Mark Percy]
