Shaw Lane Aquaforce boss Craig Elliott says performances have to improve ahead of the trip to leaders Bottesford
Destiny may remain in Shaw Lane Aquaforce’s hands, but Craig Elliott insists that his players have to raise their games ahead of the big one with Toolstation NCEL Division One leaders Bottesford Town.
Shaw Lane are still in third spot after losing 3-1 to Dronfield Town on Tuesday night – a match that had they won would have seen them move up to second and have a chance of going top tomorrow.
Aquaforce can narrow the gap with Bottesford to two points with a win.
They also have one game in hand of Bottesford so Elliott is well-aware how crucial the match could be, but he admits that the performances have to be better.
“There’s going to be pressure on both teams and it is nice to be involved in games like this,” he said.
“I have to say though that we have to improve.
“I know we have been winning, I haven’t been totally happy so there is still a lot of improving to do.
“It is a big week for us because we have Bottesford and then Cleethorpes next week and if we lose them then it leaves us relying on results.
“That’s not ideal and before Tuesday night it was in our hands to win the league. As it stands now it is in our hands to get promoted.
“We’ll see tomorrow how much a blow Tuesday was. I said to them that it will be either be a great thing and we’ll bounce back in a big game or have a knock-on effect confidence-wise.
“There were no excuses for the result on Tuesday, but we had three of my top players out in Danny Patterson, Gary Stohrer and John Cyrus.
“I hope they’re back for Saturday because it is a massive game. But, every game is big and even Tuesday night I didn’t class as any lesser than Bottesford.”
The trio are expected to return at Bottesford and Elliott has admitted that he is still looking to sign a couple of new faces for the run-in.
Danny Barlow has moved to Australia to play football and he countered his departure by signing experienced winger Jason St Juste.
But, he does want some more bodies and says he has found it tough getting signatures.
“It has been difficult because clubs are not prepared to release players,” he said.
“The hardest thing like I’ve said before is getting players in and at this time of year if they’re doing well then they don’t want to move.
“I would like to bring some players in because I like said I’m not totally happy even though we have been winning matches.
“I’m not the sort of person who stands still, I want to improve things.”