Skelmersdale United manager Richard Brodie has described their meeting with Ramsbottom United as a “six-pointer”.
They are without a win and a point since he succeeded Paul McNally, following his move to City of Liverpool.
Since the new management team have arrived at their temporary home in Burscough, they have welcomed the likes of Max McCarthy, Sam Turner and Declan McLoughlin. Meanwhile, Danny Mitchley and Kenny Strickland have followed their former boss to the Purps.
At the early stage of the campaign, they sit just outside the relegation positions. Despite being without a point since taking over, Brodie insists there are positives and after a difficult start, the tide is beginning to turn.
He told Off The Park: “Ultimately we haven’t got a point on the board and we haven’t won a game, if you look at it that way not a good start but what we’ve done behind the scenes.
“In regards to standards, we train at eight o’clock for example, the injured lads meet at half seven, the team come at quarter to eight and we train at eight so we don’t eat into the training time.
“So the structure is very good, as far as training kit, we look a lot more professional, Mouse [Michael Smith] and Jack [Hook] best coaches in the division, we’ve got the best physio in the division.
“Most importantly, we’ve brought some players in, it’s not going to happen overnight, it’s going to take time to gel but ultimately, I’m based on results and results haven’t been good enough but there is a lot of positives.”
The former Skelmersdale United striker added: “If you look at the stats in the division, we’ve conceded the second most goals in the division – if my stats are correct – which isn’t good enough, that isn’t based on the back four or the goalkeeper you defend as a team, from the front, collectively.
“Last week against Newcastle Town between the two 18-yard boxes, we were outstanding, the way we kept the ball, moved the ball, the games are won in both boxes and we were not good enough in either.
“We’ve been done by set-pieces which is very disappointing, going back to the Glossop game and Workington game, the referee’s ruled out two perfectly good goals at 0-0, Elliott Morris being given offside for both of them, we haven’t had that luck.
“We work hard on our opposition and we do work hard on picking the best team for that game, we’re lacking a little bit of confidence and belief but that is coming, I can see it coming.
“There’s been some unrest about Macca leaving and people thinking ‘is he going to come in for me? Is he not?’ You could see a little bit of unrest there and that’s been ironed out now, we’re on the straight and narrow to move forward.”
Ramsbottom have claimed six points against Merseyside-based opposition both home and away in recent weeks. They fought hard to beat Prescot Cables before they poured cold water on Bootle’s run with a 2-1 at Vesty Road.
Ahead of their trip to Greater Manchester, Brodie has heaped importance on the clash and feels with their recent additions and performances, they are getting stronger.
He said: “It’s a six pointer, I know Lee [Donafee] very well, they’ve had some poor results but they’re coming into the game on the back of results against Prescot Cables and Bootle – Bootle had beaten Macclesfield a week before.
“That’s the way I’ve got to look at it, we’re here for a reason, anybody can beat anyone on their day, we’ve prepared as much we can. It’s a game I believe we can win, I’m fully confident because something has to turn at some point whether it’s a flash of brilliance, a little bit of luck, a decision to go in our favour.
“But the players we’ve got and those we’ve brought in, it’s now becoming a stronger squad, training session by training session and game by game, we’re gunning to win the game and hopefully turn the corner.”
