IS THIS WIN OR BUST FOR SHOTS AND WHITES?
GARY WADDOCK wants Aldershot’s supporters to power them into the playoff places tomorrow – but Dover counterpart Chris Kinnear has played down the significance of the afternoon.
In the game of the day, the fifth place Whites travel to the Shots knowing they can inflict a mental blow on their rivals in a game between the clubs who are going hammer and tong to nick what should be the last remaining play-off place.
But on the flip side, Waddock and his team will be well aware the power of three points and they will put themselves in control of their own destiny with victory in front of their own fans.
It’s their support which Waddock is relying on tomorrow after a great performance at Tranmere Rovers convinced him that his squad has the heart to be the ones to grab fifth place in the next fortnight.
“It’s a massive game on Monday,” the said. “It will be a big occasion against Dover.
“We have to make sure we recover properly from Good
3pm kick-off at the EBB Recreation Ground
Friday and really turn up on Monday because this will be a very, very interesting game.
“I’m looking forward to it already. If we can have a big turn-out it will be even better. I can’t wait.
“It’s very interesting how often late on in the season fixtures like this crop up. Where we are at present has been a fantastic achievement by everybody at the club.
“If we can put on a performance on Monday like we did up at Tranmere, then we give ourselves a real chance against Dover.”
The run-ins make interesting reading. The Shots, on paper, have it easier with a trip to already relegated North Ferriby followed by a home match with Braintree Town, who may be safe by then.
But don’t forget that the Kent club have that all-important game in hand, meaning this really is a must-win match for the 2008 Conference champions, of course then under the charge of current boss Waddock.
Dover travel to Barrow on the final day of the season and next they have two more home matches – against Torquay on Saturday and then, next Tuesday night, against Macclesfield Town.
They have that crucial game in hand and of course the league’s top scorer, Ricky Miller, who will be looking to add even more goals to his tally of 36 in the National League so far.
“For us, it is just another game,” said Kinnear, who guided Dover to the play-offs last year before eventually bowing out narrowly to Forest Green Rovers.
“But Aldershot are a good side and we have got to prepare right so we can hopefully get a result. It is not all about Monday though as there are still a few games to go and it should be very exciting.”
Kinnear gave an update on the fitness of one of his key players ahead of the trip to north Hampshire.
“Richard Orlu came off as a precaution with a dead leg on Friday, but I expect to have a fully fit squad to choose from on Monday,” he confirmed.”