Ossett Albion boss Richard Tracey says his men need to start winning and quickly
Richard Tracey is urging his struggling Ossett Albion side to keep believing they pull off the great escape, writes James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson).
Tracey retains the support of the Albion committee, but Albion are bottom of the Evo Stik Division One North side and ten points adrift of safety.
Ossett face high-flying Warrington Town at Dimple Wells tomorrow and Tracey’s men have 18 games to save their Evo Stik status or face the drop back to the NCEL.
Tracey is still positive about steering Albion to safety, but admits that Ossett need wins and quickly.
“I had a chat with the chairman after the game (against Farsley) on New Year’s Day and the situation at the club isn’t desperate yet,” he said.
“Within myself I think it is. I have higher expectations. It’s not excuses, but we are working with a limited budget and there are lads playing for favours effectively with the money they are receiving.
“The likes of Danny Walsh are coming in to help out and they’re getting paid very little. It is a good side on paper, it’s a quick and strong side. We’re not getting beat 5-0 every-week, but we’re just not in games long enough.
“But, we have to keep going. It’s frustrating because players we have looked at are earning more in the NCEL and don’t want to leave the NCEL.
“Then there are players at this level who are happy sitting on the bench at other clubs because they are earning three times more what we could pay them.
“We’re in a really difficult position in terms of bringing players in. I believe we can stay up. We did it last year when we picked it up in February. Two wins could change it because we would be right back in it.
“Warrington will be very difficult, but Clitheroe (next week) is a game that we have to go there and get a result – it’s as simple as that.”
Former Frickley Athletic captain Danny Walsh is playing for Ossett Albion for “very little money”, according to Richard Tracey
Warrington is the final game in a trilogy of matches against play-offs teams. Albion lost narrowly to leaders Curzon Ashton last Saturday and then 4-1 to Farsley on New Year’s Day.
Warrington are second behind Curzon, but Tracey says Albion cannot afford to try and contain Shaun Reid’s side because they desperately need three points.
“It doesn’t get any easier,” he said.
“We have Warrington at home, Clitheroe away, Darlington at home and Lancaster away so we have an incredibly tough month ahead of us with Harrogate Town in the semi-finals of the County Cup.
“Warrington are a big strong and physical side and I thought we did well at their place when we got beat 2-0. They’re organised and I think they’re budget is phenomenal.
“I think it is a case of do what we can and hopefully get something out of the game. We can’t go defensive because we concede too many goals to sit there and defend it.
“I think we have to go out and attack it and try and win the game.”