The bad weather problems have been a fantastic opportunity for Nostell Miners Welfare, according to Simon Houghton as he and Jason Dodsworth prepare to relaunch their promotion bid.
Having only played twice during December, Nostell used the ‘break’ to spend hours on the training ground to iron out the reasons behind their slump in form dating back to October.
“We’re not in a bad position,” Houghton told Non League Yorkshire.
“We’re our own worse enemies because our standards are so high. We have had two bad defeats all season – at Brigg and and at Glasshoughton (in late November). We were very poor on both days.
“We have spent the whole of December on the training ground and weedled away the bad attitude and the lads now know what is required.
“We changed the way we play and I think at Ollerton (last week) they had one chance and they scored. Rhys Meynell had hurt his back and they scored because he couldn’t move.
“We were at it at Ollerton. They caused us problems, but they never broke us down. It was all in front of us.
“The work rate and desire was there. Something had clicked with them. We trained very hard for two hours last night, even though it is only two days recovery before the Hull game.
“The message is getting across and it is very loud and clear. The bad weather has been a good thing for us because it has allowed us to regroup.”
Even before the bad weather struck, Nostell have faced a lengthy list of away Toolstation NCEL Division One games.
So tomorrow’s home clash with basement side East Hull is the first game at Crofton Community Centre since the superb win over runaway leaders Skegness Town in early November.
“It is first time we have been at home since 9th November which is a long time to be on the road,” he said.
“Even before the Skegness game we’d hardly been at home. We had only Swallownest at home.
“Our form has dipped since September and been away from home for that period of time is not good.
“The good thing is that apart from Skegness, no-one is running away and I think we have proven that we can beat anyone on our day.
“We are probably as strong as we were at the start of the season, squad and depth-wise.”