Linnets still masters of own destiny
Defeat against leaders doesn’t derail play-off pursuit
RUNCORN Linnets were unable to make inroads into their eight-point target to land a Northern Premier League West Division play-off place when they met leaders Warrington Rylands at the weekend.
But Linnets chief Calum McIntyre remains confident his side will complete the job and is content they are masters of their own destiny.
Linnets were beaten 2-0 at Rylands, leaving them still requiring eight points from their four remaining games to secure a play-off spot. Next up is Saturday’s clash at Newcastle Town.
“We lost to a good team, a team deserving of the position they are in – they are top with three games to go and I thought they showed bits of quality in both boxes which meant they were good value for the three points,” said McIntyre after the weekend’s result.
“For our part, I was disappointed to lose a game. I was content with our performance, I thought we did what we could.
“We had a bit more control over possession, territory and potential opportunities in the first half. We had a chance in the first half but were not able to do anything with it and in the second half they gave us less opportunity on transition, they were good, managed possession and took the first goal really well.
“There’s a reason they are top of the league, they will get three points more often than not and we just have to move on.”
Injuries have been moutning up for Linnets in recent weeks, but McIntyre still believes the personnel available can see the job through.
“We have a thin squad and the nature of where we’re at means the answer for us is not to go and throw £400 at a player and hope they are good, we work with our squad and we do what we can,” he said.
“So when you lose bodies in quick succession it kills us a little bit. We’ve got what we’ve got and it’s more than enough for us to go and get the points.
“It’s the business end of the season, everyone looks at everyone else’s results but we don’t need to – we need eight points from four games, we need to mantain the level of form we’ve had over the last six, eight, ten games.
“It would be wrong to say we saw the Warrington game as a free hit – we thought we could come and get the points here. But when you look at our fixtures and say ‘where do you think those eight points are going to come from?’, of course Rylands are going to be favourites in a game like this.
“What’s important is that we go and get those eight points. We know where we’re at, we know what we’ve got in the group and we’re ready and raring to go for Saturday.”