Runcorn Linnets manager Dave Wild has his sights set on their next win after ending their losing run against Skelmersdale United.
Oliver McFadyen, Jamie Rainford and Eden Gumbs were on the scoresheet against Skem as they picked up their first win since December 6.
The difficult two months saw them fade away from leaders Macclesfield but they remain in the playoff places with the triumph restoring a three-point gap.
Despite their torrid form, the Linnets boss felt a win was inevitable despite a mixture of misfortune and poor performances.
“We’re out of it now, it is what it is and it’s forgotten about,” he told Off The Park. “I’ve said all along I’ve got full faith in the squad, we brought one or two in across the run to shake it up but at no point did I panic or feel things were getting out of hand with it, I think we’ve had a couple of bad performances and a couple of bits of bad luck in that run, that happens across the course of the season.
“I’m glad to have it out of the way in the Christmas period than in the run-in so thankfully we’ve got the proverbial monkey off our back and we’ll kick on now hopefully.
“We’re not a group that panics, we knew we were going to come out of it,” he added on the feeling after Tuesday night. “I think everyone was surprised at how long it did last because of the quality we have in the squad but not a sense of relief but we all knew it was coming, it wasn’t relief. Moved on, forgotten about, it’s in the past.
“I’ve been fine, I’ve had unbelievable backing from the board, at no point was I losing my marbles – screaming or shouting,” Wild said offering an insight into his thought-process during a difficult two months. “There was a couple of choice words to the group but there’s a couple of choice words for the group when we’re flying as well that’s part and parcel of the job.
“I’ve been fine, I’ve took a bit of stick off certain fans and as frustrating as it is – because they don’t see the work we go in – it’s part and parcel, everyone in football has a right to their own opinion. I’m fine, I plug one, I’m young, 35, I’ve been around the block, we have ups and downs thankfully we’ve got through it.”
Despite a comfortable win for Clitheroe, Runcorn Linnets kept their place in the playoffs as they ended their winless streak against Richard Brodie’s side. For the Linnets boss, he felt it was much more of a performance of old and one of their best.
He continued: “I thought we were absolutely outstanding, didn’t give them a minute to breathe, it was much more of a Runcorn Linnets of Wildy, Rainford and Billy Paynter than what we’ve seen of late.
“To a man we were outstanding, we made a couple of changes and it’s come to fruition and worked, it was one of our best performances of the season and come at the right time.”
However, it isn’t a time to dwell for the playoff chasers as they welcome Newcastle Town and now the focus is on that encounter.
Simply put, Wild believes it is a game they “have to win,” he revealed. “Nothing changes with me, whatever the previous result win, lose or draw, the most important result is the next one so we’ll be setting up to win, planning, prepping and it’s another opportunity to gain three points.
“It’s a chance to close the race on the playoffs because teams have caught up with us during to our bad run, it’s over to us to go over and win.
“We’ve got a cup quarter-final on Tuesday against Litherland REMYCA which gives us an opportunity to build momentum, they’ll give us a tough game but we’ve got a nice opportunity with Saturday, Tuesday’s.
“I think at this stage of the season it’s better than to go Saturday to Saturday, we’ve played Workington twice this season, beat them once, should’ve beat them the second time they scored in the the 92nd and 95th minute.
“They’re a very good team, I said from the day one that they’d be the team to push Macclesfield to win the league, I’m half-proven right, it’ll be tough but they’re the games we’re involved for.”
[Featured image: Neil Phillip Thornton]
