Michael Clegg says Warrington Rylands have “14 cup finals” left as he calls on his players to turn their draw frustrations into wins.
Their recent share of the spoils came away from Gorsey Lane against difficult opposition in Workington. Rylands battled the elements and came from two goals down to earn a valuable point in Cumbria.
The point keeps them in tow of runaway leaders Radcliffe but the main focus for Rylands is bedding themselves in the playoff race – which continues to see the pressure cranked up. Teams around them are breathing down their necks, including Marine, plus those outside the top six eyeing a late surge.
Clegg missed the trip to Borough Park due to previous commitments but his side continued their form of being hard to beat – picking up a fourth point from a possible six after beating playoff rivals Whitby Town in their last home outing.
This weekend they travel to relegation-threatened Basford United which marks the beginning of a nicer run of fixtures, albeit on paper, following a Christmas period that featured crunch matches against the Radcliffe, the Mariners, Macclesfield and Ashton United.
“It’s tough, we were looking at Workington – they’d won two in 10 but drew the rest – and the conditions were terrible so you’d probably take four points from Whitby and Workington,” Clegg told Off The Park. “We’ve now got 14 games left, we’ve got a good run of fixtures after a tough run since that December 15, we feel like we can go on a really good run now, everyone is fit and available.
“People are fighting for places so we’re in a really good place.”
With the schedule looking to ease off in their hunt for cementing a playoff position, added to the return of Dan Cockerline and Adama Sidibeh to full fitness from injury and illness, respectively, a momentum-boosting win is in their sights.
Liam Brockbank is in line to make his debut for Rylands after signing on loan from National League side Altrinhcam this week and Clegg claims the positive news can be a catalyst.
He added: “It’s been tough because of the schedule, we’ve had your Marine’s, Macc’s, it’s been a real tough run and we only lost to Macc.
“We’ve been resilient and still tough to beat, we have to be a bit better going forward, Adama (Sidibeh) was ill and other little niggles but from Saturday we’ll be at full strength, we’ve got everyone available, (Dan) Cockerline’s fully fit and ready to go.
“We’ve brought in (Liam) Brockbank who gives us another dimension from the left-back area. We have 14 cup finals left and we’re going to tackle.”
Top goalscorer, Sidibeh, has been talk of the Northern Premier League this month after it had emerged that the striker has attracted interest from Football League and professional clubs. Off The Park previously revealed that AFC Fylde were among those to express an interest and according to our information, a southern League One club are among those eyeing a move.
But as it stands, any approach to Rylands has been rejected due to falling short of their valuation or their interest is yet to be concrete. The Blues boss has praised Sidibeh’s mentality and insists that until a credible bid is made, it is business as usual as the 25-year-old eyes the golden boot.
“He’s been ill and I’ve been away, so I’ve not really seen him but he came off the bench on Saturday and did very well second-half,” Clegg said. “He’ll always give you what he gives us, there won’t be anything that can take his focus away but until we get an offer that’s right for everyone and he leaves, we’ll take him as a Rylands player and start him Saturday now he’s fit.”
Basford United sit five points clear of the relegation zone in the Northern Premier League. Rylands become the latest club to visit the Greenwich Avenue Stadium but for visiting teams, the Nottinghamshire-based club has been a difficult place.
Neil Young’s Marine suffered a chastening 3-0 defeat to the relegation-strugglers while league-leaders Radcliffe were made to work hard to extend their total at the top. And with the addition of former Nottingham Forest striker Nathan Tyson, the Rylands boss insists they will not be pushovers.
“They’re going to be no pushovers, it’s going to be a tight game but one we’re confident we can go and win if we do everything right,” he said. “They’ve just signed Nathan Tyson who has played a lot of football in the Championship, he’ll be another dimension for them.
“We need to focus on us and get some rhythm moving forward again, get some goals, keep the back door shut and hopefully we can get on a run of wins. We’re still in good form, a lot of them has been draws so it has been frustrating but we’re using it as a positive.”
