MARINERS CAN YET REEL ‘EM IN
SOUTH SHIELDS captain Jon Shaw has challenged his side to ‘thrive under the pressure’ as they look to turn around a poor run of league form.
The Mariners had lost five of their last seven games ahead of yesterday’s home clash with Gainsborough Trinity – a run that threatens to halt the momentum built up by three consecutive promotions.
Recent results have led to some criticism from a small minority of the club’s growing band of supporters but Shaw believes that they are just two wins away from getting back on track in the Evo-Stik NPL Premier.
“We have to manage expectations, because this club has had an almost unprecedented level of success over the last few years,” explained the former Luton Town and Gateshead ace.
Ambitious
“We have to shoulder the burden of the expectation and thrive under the pressure that it gives.
“Other clubs would be happy to be where we are at right now after being promoted last season.
“But we are all ambitious and we want to keep the club moving upwards.
“We are still learning at this level as a group of play- ers and as a club. It’s not an easy level to play at and we aren’t going to get things all our own way.
“Maybe people think that is how it has been in the last couple of seasons, but it certainly isn’t the case in this division.
“Before this little run of form started we were going really well and we can get back to that. It just takes a couple of wins and we will be back on track.”
Despite their recent struggles, the Mariners still lie in close proximity to the league’s play-off places and will still be seen as a realistic title challenger.
A 5-0 home win against Grantham Town seemed to have put things back on track, but defeats at Hednesford Town and Hyde United have seen the South Tyneside club drop out of the play-off spots.
Challenge
The Mariners will need to improve their away record if they are to secure a fourth consecutive promotion.
They have lost six of their eight games on the road this season, but Shaw reckons that the league’s front-runners will soon be taking notice if his side start picking up points away from Mariners Park.
“We are still in the hunt we know that in this league anyone can beat anyone.
“It doesn’t matter where you are in the league, you have to be at your best in games.
“The clubs that win promotion are always the ones that find a bit of consistency at the right time. Our home record is excellent, but we haven’t been good enough in away games.
“The big challenge is matching our away results with those at home. If we do that then the clubs above us will soon be looking over their shoulders.”