‘It’s bite your nails time’
Devonshire says under pressure Magpies have plenty of points and places to play for
Maidenhead United boss Alan Devonshire has admitted it's 'bite your nails' time after Saturday's narrow defeat at Rochdale left the Magpies just a point and a place above the drop zone with six matches to play.
United were much more competitive in the 1-0 defeat at Spotland, but they failed to take their chances and allowed Devontae Rodney to head home the game's only goal just before halftime.
The result leaves the Magpies in 20th place, but they're one of nearly a dozen teams who could still be relegated alongside Oxford City, whose fate was sealed by Saturday's 2-1 defeat at AFC Fylde.
Devonshire, his coaching team and the players will be doing everything in their power to ensure they're not one of the three teams to join Oxford in going down, however, on paper they have one of the toughest run-ins, with four of the top six still to be played, starting with Friday's visitors Aldershot Town.
Devonshire felt the fine margins went against his side a little in Saturday's clash, however, they also haven't had a lot of luck with injuries this season. As Remy Clerima and Shawn McCoulsky returned to the fold, their influential midfielder Reece Smith limped out of the match at halftime, and Devonshire said he was only touch and go for the weekend's matches.
“At the end of the day it’s come down to fine margins,” said Devonshire. “And it was fine margins which decided the game on Saturday.
“We’ve now got to move on, and we’ve got six big games left.
“Yeah, listen, our form has been up and down and with the injuries we’ve had we’re not getting the consistency that we should do. But it is what it is. It’s a tough league and you’ve got 10
teams fighting for the top seven at the top end and you’ve got 10 teams fighting at the bottom.
“Oxford City have gone, but there
are still three places, and everyone has got six games left.”
He added: “Reece is touch and go over the weekend really.”
They may have one of the toughest run-ins of the sides in the relegation battle, but four of United's remaining six games are at York Road, where their form has been reasonable this season.
They won their last match there against Dorking Wanderers, and Devonshire is hoping the Magpies' faithful will help haul the team over the line to safety in their remaining home games against the Shots, Barnet, Hartlepool and Gateshead.
Friday’s match is followed by a trip to fellow strugglers Eastleigh on Easter Monday. United then play their trio of remaining home matches before rounding off the campaign away at newly crowned champions, Chesterfield.
“We’ve been up and down (positions). We won against Dorking, and we flew up the league and that’s the way it’s going to be until the end of the season,” he said. “It is bite your nails time.
“It’s good that we have four home games. Our home form has been okay this year. They’re tough games on paper, but I’d rather be at home than away.
“We need the fans. They’ve helped us in previous seasons to get over the line and hopefully they can do so again.
“Aldershot have got good players; they’re going for the play-offs and have done very well. But we’ve just got to get our full side out on the pitch, that’s what we’ve got to do.”
A few weeks ago, Devonshire thought the Magpies might need more than the usual 50 points required for survival in the league.
However, with the club still on 45 points after away defeats to Dagenham & Redbridge and Rochdale he may be reassessing and thinking that total could be enough for safety.