SPORT: HATTERS ARE SET FOR RUN-IN MADNESS
STOCKPORT County boss Jim Gannon insists his side are still in the hunt for a play-off place and says he expects “madness” in the final stretch of the season.
Results over the weekend saw three of County’s play-off rivals pick up three points to see the Hatters drop to seventh, two places but only two points off the final play-off position.
And whilst Gannon admits the results were a tough pill to take, he maintains his side will be fighting until the end to clinch a top five spot.
“We’re very much in the mix,” asserted Gannon after his side’s 1-1 draw with Nuneaton Town.
“We’re a little bit deflated and disappointed because of the way results have gone today.
“Next week the mood will change if we win so we’ll work hard this week.”
With just five points separating second and seventh, and the same number of games left to play, Gannon knows that it is impossible to predict which way the race is going to go, with ten teams still in contention for a play-off spot.
“These teams below us, they’re actually turning teams over at the top,” said Gannon, referring to Nuneaton’s 4-1 victory over runaway leaders AFC Fylde.
“The permutations, the possibilities, they’re endless, so we’ve got to just go into each game.
Stockport enter the final stretch of the season in impressive form, having suffered just one defeat in nineteen games in the league, although Gannon says he’s disappointed with nine of those being draws.
And the manager says he expects a lot of late season drama, as points become more and more valuable to teams at both ends of the table, and urges his players to keep cool heads amongst the commotion.
“I think we’re at that stage of the season where there’s going to be a lot of madness,” said the 48-year-old.
“The games get hotter; the pressure gets a little bit harder. The most important thing at this stage of the season, you’ve got to keep your head.
“Our players have shown tremendous discipline throughout the season, both physically, mentally and tactically.”