NPL Division One East
Steve Roberts admits Pickering Town have the chance to start turning their season around in their festive fixtures.
Pickering travel to fellow strugglers Bridlington Town on Boxing Day before hosting John Deacey’s Tadcaster Albion on New Year’s Day.
Six points could lift second bottom Pickering labove Bridlington and potentially Tadcaster as well.
“Bridlington and Tadcaster are two games we can’t be losing because of the points difference,” Roberts told Non League Yorkshire.
“But it is still really tight so if we look after ourselves we’ll be fine.
“We haven’t got the stage yet where we have to hope other teams lose.
“There still enough games left to not be in that relegation battle.
“But we need to get some back-to-back victories which is something we haven’t done yet.
“The next two games are an opportunity to change our season.
“I don’t think we are far away from putting a run together.
“We win the next two and it is a completely different picture.
“I’m looking as far ahead as the end of January and we have a target as to where we would like to be then.
“I look at Stocksbridge a few months ago and they were down there and now they are mid-table.
“We’re still focusing on getting up the table and not panicking about being in a dogfight.
“We know we’re in the wrong area of the table but we’re still looking at where we hopefully will be in five or six weeks’ time.”
Despite the crucial nature of the Bridlington fixture, Roberts does not want to apply too much pressure on his side.
“It is really important but I’m trying to avoid making it bigger than what it is,” he said.
“I don’t want everyone to get caught up too much in how big a game it could be.
“But I do understand that it is important to both sides but I’m mindful that we can’t let it affect our performance as well.
“Dunston was a fantastic victory but the Pontefract and Lincoln games as a prime example; we have caught up in the size of the game and let ourselves down a little bit.
“Maybe we need to take stock and say it is a game of football and if we need to perform well we’ll get points.
“We must not overhype it again.
“We do understand the situation we are in but it is another game of football and if we do the things we did well against Dunston, Lincoln, Frickley, we’ll get the results we do want.”
The recent smashing of Dunston lifted spirits at Pickering and although they lost to North East giants Shildon in their last game, Roberts says performances have improved.
“The Dunston result was a great response after the Pontefract game which was disappointing,” he said.
“We had a point to prove and they answered the questions with a fantastic performance.
“Shildon was a tough one but the result didn’t reflect how we played.
“We did ok in large spells in the game but I was hoping to get some points on the board against them.
“The next two games are the big ones so I’m looking forward to them.”