City of Liverpool manager Paul McNally believes securing playoffs on the final day of the season against Witton Albion would be one of the biggest achievements in the club’s history.
Under the former Skelmersdale United manager, they have transformed from relegation-threatened to playoff contenders. They host Witton Albion on Saturday knowing that win or a draw would seal their place in the Northern Premier League top five.
McNally’s side were narrowly beaten in the Liverpool Senior Cup final against Marine in midweek but held their own against playoff hopefuls from a higher division.
While success in the competition would’ve been nice, the Purps boss says the prize for them is booking their place in the semi-finals on April 30.
“The final was a good occasion for us, a cup that we wanted to win but Saturday is the biggest prize for us,” he told Off The Park.
“We’ve got to win and get in the playoffs, that would be the prize for us. Saturday’s win was massive, the last few games have been like finals for us, Nantwich are a really good side and I don’t think there are many better than them but we managed to come away with a 2-1 win.
“It sets us up for Saturday and I thought the win would’ve been enough to take us over the line but Bootle and Witton have won, it takes us home – there’s no better place for us to be, wherever we are – we go to win.”
He added: “We don’t need to rely on anyone, just rely on ourselves, win, get ourselves over the line and if we don’t, we’ve only got ourselves to blame.
“It’s going to be a ding-dong, we’ve got to win, they have to win so it probably won’t be a pretty game. That’s what happens when you get to these nitty-gritty games.”
However, McNally was keen not to take the plaudits, lauding the work of his players. He continued: “It’s (the progress) a testament to the lads in the dressing, they’re mentality monsters – and I know that’s a Jurgen Klopp saying – but they really are.
“Marine might’ve been a game too far for them but every team in the league, we go to the wire against. We dig in and dig in, we go again and look to the points.
“As a group, we will only get stronger if we keep striving for our goals but to get in the playoffs, it would be the biggest achievement for the club – winning the cup would’ve been nice – it’ll be monumental if we get in there.”
