Linnets stay upbeat for FA Cup test
McIntyre’s men faced with ending Liversedge’s run
RUNCORN Linnets boss Calum McIntyre insists his side will need to carry the momentum built from back-toback Bank Holiday weekend wins into Saturday’s FA Cup clash against Liversedge.
The Linnets enjoyed 1-0 wins against Leek Town and 1874 Northwich over the three-day period.
This weekend they entertain Northern Counties East leaders Liversedge – who boast a 100 per cent winning record from their league programme so far having won all five of their games.
But McIntyre said his management team and the players would prepare for the challenge in the right way to ensure they will competitive on the day.
“We’ll ask the right questions of the right people and see what we can find, but they will be looking at us and feeling that they will be comfortable coming here – they are on an unbelievable run,” said McIntyre.
“I don’t think steamrollering does justice to what they are doing to that division in the opening weeks.
“So we know we’ll have a real task on our hands, they will be looking at us as just another side they can turn up against but we’ve always been competitive, I know we’re going to be up against it but I’ve said time and time again, don’t write us off.”
McIntyre was delighted with the weekend’s results and the fact his side followed up one win with another.
“I’m pleased with the weekend overall, six points and two clean sheets, back to back wins,” he said.
“Going back to back is massive at this level, whether it’s over the course of a weekend like this, whether it’s Saturday/Tuesday or otherwise – the importance of following up results to ensure they are good results is vital. I don’t think we’ve done that enough, even in the shortened version of last season, and if we’re going to stay in this division it’s vital that we go and win a game and follow it up to make sure those points are worth something.
“I’m equally as pleased with Joe Young and our backline for the two clean sheets, I thought they were colossal.
“Your work ethic off the ball and your ability to buy in and value that stuff is a decision you make as an individual, as a group we make it very important that our players understand what they have to do defensively
“Right the way through the group, the work ethic on our top line to prevent balls coming in the final period of the game showed it is important and to have got two clean sheets to reward that is really pleasing.”