Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Shane Kelsey retains belief in Hemsworth Miners Welfare’s survival bid.
The games are running away from Hemsworth who sit second bottom and six points adrift having only won two league games in 22 this season.
The Wells are going to need nine of their remaining 16 matches to reach the magic 40 point mark but Kelsey still has confidence in his men.
“We’re not doomed at all,” Kelsey told Non League Yorkshire.
“We’re two results away from being able to put ourselves in a position to go past a team.
“At the same time, unless you put points on the board, it is a tough situation.
“The lads can only change (the situation) themselves and I said to them (on Saturday) ‘let’s be honest, if you’re prepared to accept losing we are not going to move forward’.
“The squad we have got is capable of (gaining the wins to get out of trouble) but the discipline isn’t allowing us to do so.
“People will say about me ‘oh I bet he’s a right lunatic, the same he was as a player, he’ll be ranting and raving’, I don’t think that’s the way to approach players these days.
“Football has evolved and you have to be on a level with players.
“Screaming and shouting doesn’t help anyone in this situation so it is about trying to coax and motivate these lads to get back to basics and realise what is needed to get out of this situation.
“I’m confident (we can get out of trouble), if I wasn’t I would walk away and give someone else a chance to build something for next season.
“We’ll keep grafting and everyone who knows the squad knows they are capable (of staying up).”
Hemsworth lost 4-0 to Knaresborough in Fitzwilliam on Saturday.
For the second consecutive game the Wells finished with ten men as captain Harry Viggars was sent off in the first half for a wild challenge.
Discipline is a major cause of concern for Kelsey.
“Only the lads (sort) it themselves,” he said.
“You’d like to have a big budget and be able to combat it with a zero tolerance approach.
“You see the tackle on Saturday and every man and his dog knew what was coming and it was so avoidable.
“We need discipline and honest graft.
“You can all the best footballers with lovely ability but if they haven’t got discipline and hard work, you’re not going to see the best of the ability and the best of the football team.”
Hemsworth fielded debutant goalkeeper Hagie Demba on Saturday – their seventh full game stopper of the campaign if you include Steven Jeff’s performance at Selby Town.
Kelsey hopes the goalkeeping “absolute nightmare” is over but he remains on the lookout for outfield players.
“There’s a few irons in the fire but results like (Saturday) don’t help you,” he added.