We’re very much in it – but we must be more clinical, says Kev
Kevin Phillips has called on South Shields to show a ruthless streak as they bid to return to winning ways on Saturday.
The Mariners missed out on the chance to go top of the Northern Premier League when they lost their game in hand 1-0 at Mickleover on Tuesday.
They remain just one point from the summit, though, and could climb into first position if they win at Lancaster City and leaders Matlock Town fail to beat Radcliffe.
Lancaster’s credentials were underlined by their 1-0 victory at Matlock a fortnight ago, so a difficult battle is expected by the Mariners.
Manager Phillips is looking for improvements from his players at Giant Axe after their midweek reverse.
He said: “I can’t criticise them for their work-rate or their efforts on Tuesday, but we just lacked that bit of cutting edge and quality in the final third.
“At times our decisionmaking needs to be a lot better and we need to be a lot more clinical.
“Tuesday was a huge game for us and we didn’t win, but we have to accept it, learn from it and move on, starting at Lancaster.”
Lancaster are 11th after a mixed campaign to date, and come into the game on the back of defeats against Scarborough Athletic and FC United of Manchester.
Both managers will therefore
be looking for a response from their team.
Phillips added: “We haven’t had too long to dwell on Tuesday, which is one of the good things about this league.
“We’ve got an opportunity to put it right on Saturday.
“It’s another tough match away from home but we’ve got to start the game well.
“We’ve got to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down – we’re very much in it – and go again.
“We’ve certainly got to be better than we were on Tuesday and that’s what we’re looking for from the players.”
Shields are without midfielder Callum Ross and are also expected to have Conor Tee missing, but Phillips is hopeful of having forward Cedric Main back available.
Lancaster City manager Mark Fell is relishing the chance to face Phillips, but admits he remains surprised Shields sacked Graham Fenton.
“Personally I thought they were out of order sacking Graham Fenton," he said .
“I guess that’s an owner thing. He is throwing loads of money at it and is growing impatient. I get that and I understand that.
“Sometimes you reap what you sow and I know they have a big name in there now but what is to tell us that Kevin Phillips, the wonderful footballer, is going to do a better job as manager than Graham Fenton?
“It just seems a little bit of an egotistical appointment.
“Don’t get me wrong, he might do great and I will be the first to hold my hand up.
“But to exchange Graham Fenton, who has got a pedigree and experience at this level, they were second in the league and it just smacks of an opinion that they believe that they shouldn’t be at this level.
“I have always said the sooner they go out of this division the better, but I think everybody has shown that South Shields are beatable.”