Rising Hatters to remain grounded
COUNTY boss Dave Challinor insists his side will keep their feet firmly on the ground, as an impressive 2-0 win over high-flying Stevenage on Saturday made it four wins in a row for The Hatters.
Goals either side of the break from Will Collar and substitute Ryan Rydel sealed the three points over second-placed Stevenage at Edgeley Park, with County’s fine run of form continuing – and seeing the gap to the automatic promotion places cut to just four points.
It proved a fully deserved win for a County side which dominated the first half before seeing out the second, with Challinor hailing his side’s “bravery” – whilst still looking for more to come.
“We knew Stevenage set up, initially, to not lose rather than to win. They were pretty passive in the first half as a result, and we controlled the game well,” said Challinor.
“We had to deal with more of a threat in the second half - that made it a different game than the first half.
“We knew we would have to deal with the long throws and crosses and so on from them. After a bit of a wobble early in the second half, we stood up to it really well.
“We show moments here and there of being brave, of playing through difficult moments of pressure from the opposition, but generally that’s where we’re a work in progress for me.
“We have to find different ways against different opposition, and we’re starting to do that.”
County had the opportunity to cut the gap to Carlisle United, currently occupying the third automatic promotion spot, to a solitary point on Tuesday evening, as Challinor’s men made the short journey to battle relegationhaunted Rochdale at Spotland as the Express went to print.
The former Hartlepool United chief, however, is refusing to allow his side to get carried away with the top three in sight, reminding his players that a dip in form could see things easily changed.
“They’re all big games now. The way the league table has panned out, you can draw two and be out of the play-offs or win two games and find yourselves third,” he said.
“As a management team, it’s on us to not get carried away and to ensure the same of the players. We have an opportunity to bridge the gap on Tuesday at Rochdale, but that’s all it is, an opportunity. We have to follow that up each and every game.”
The hard-fought win over Steve Evans’ automatic promotion hopefuls on Saturday also took County to 51 points before the end of February – the often-mooted target for avoiding relegation.
After a difficult start to the season, Challinor couldn’t resist pointing out his side’s newlyachieved tally.
“We’re safe now, aren’t we?” joked the County boss. “Of course, I’d have taken this position at the start of the season - but from here, there are points milestones still to tick off to achieve what we want to achieve. That’s the aim for the remainder of the season and that is what we are all working towards.”
A difficult trip to Pete Wild’s Barrow side, who beat the Hatters 2-3 at Edgeley Park on the opening day of the season, comes this Saturday following Tuesday evening’s trip to neighbours Rochdale.