NPL Premier Division
Whitby Town joint manager Nathan Haslam says all the pressure is on title-chasing leaders Buxton ahead of tomorrow’s mouth-watering battle.
Whitby are bidding to stay in touch with the play-offs whilst Buxton are aiming to stay four points clear of South Shields or even extend their lead.
The Turnbull Ground is bound to be packed for the top game and Haslam says his and Lee Bullock’s men are fearless and have nothing to lose.
“Buxton have hit a bit of form and can Shields keep on their coat-tails,” Haslam told Non League Yorkshire.
“I’m not so sure as their away form isn’t great.
“It may depend on what we do against them but over the next two weeks you may see Buxton looking real title favourites.
“(On Saturday) you have to hope they have an off-day and hope they’re not at full tilt.
“Diego De Girolamo is a class above this league, he really is.
“They have probably got the biggest budget in the league so they should be up, let’s be honest.
“Personally I think they’re on course to win the league.
“We are the underdogs but the group of lads we have got and they can beat anyone in the league on their day and that includes Buxton.
“We’re going to give them a game and we’re not playing to make up the numbers. we want to win it.
“But there’s no pressure on us.
“People don’t expect us to get in the play-offs whereas Buxton have the biggest budget in the league and are expected to win every game.”
Whitby were flying high at Christmas but the play-offs bid has hit many bumps since the New Year.
With eight games left, Haslam remains optimistic Whitby can break back into the top five.
“We have been inconsistent but so has everyone else,” he said.
“We’re still in there and only three points off Warrington so you have to say we’re in with a chance.
“Anybody can beat anybody and that has proved to be the case.
“You have got South Shields faltering, Matlock faltering, Scarborough are drawing lots and so are Stafford.
“Everyone is taking points off each other and it will come down to who manages to get a little bit of a consistent run together.
“I don’t think it needs to be really consistent, it just needs to be a few positive results and you’ll be bang in there.
“We have as good a chance as anybody.
“The challenge is consistency and getting wins.
“I have looked at the league and the archives and I don’t think it has ever been so tight.”
Any finish above sixth would rank as Whitby’s best season since 2005 so that shows just how well they have done.
Haslam would rue missing out on the play-offs but he agrees that it has been a great campaign for the club.
“Personally I would be disappointed if we didn’t get in the play-offs as I know what this group has got and we have been in some great positions,” he said.
“We have faltered at key moments against clubs who are towards the bottom of the table.
“But you have to look at the history of the club and how we have performed in the Northern Premier League in the 20 years we have been in there.
“It is one of the best seasons we have had.
“We have done well in the FA Cup, had a Trophy run and we have been up there in the league.
“It is only since Christmas when we have faltered but we’re still sixth.
“If the season ended now you’d have to look back and say ‘you’ve probably overachieved’.”
The deadline for transfers is approaching fast and Haslam says a new face could arrive.
“I would said never say never,” he said.
“We may need to strengthen.
“We may find ourselves with injuries but we’re not going to make a decision until next week.
“If we do it’ll be more than likely a young pro on loan.”