The great thing about football is that there's always the next game.

Disappointment can always be forgotten about, the hope and expectation ahead of the next game replacing the frustration of the last.

On Wednesday there was no man more disappointed than Gary Brabin after the Town manager had seen his side draw a blank against Mansfield Town to register a goalless draw.

But come Saturday the frustration of the draw with the Stags will be replaced by the focus on Alfreton Town.

The next game: always an opportunity to get back to winning ways, to redeem yourself - and that's exactly what Brabin is hoping his team can do against the Reds at Kenilworth Road.

"I can understand the disappointment," the manager told the media at Friday morning's press conference. "We keep talking about catching the top two and it's always going to be frustrating when we don't get maximum points.

See this interview now on Hatters Player

"I said to the players after the Mansfield game that we need to be brighter and braver in the final third when we pass and move and that's what I'll be asking them to do on Saturday.

"Our number one objection is to get promotion and we're still on course to do so. I know it's not perfect at the moment and I'd like to be closer to Fleetwood and Wrexham but we know the reasons why it isn't and we're working hard to put it right.

"The lads do get disappointed. They realise what's at stake and realise the big expectancy on them to get promoted this season.

"Teams do park the bus to make it difficult for us but, like I said after the game on Wednesday, we need to match the opposition's work-rate and strength and we need to be brighter and more intelligent with the ball in attacking areas.

"One thing you're going to get with Alfreton is that they're going to be physical - but that's no alien to us. We need to match them physically and mentally but we've got to have that bit of craft and creativity ourselves. We need to match their strengths and play to ours.

"We've just got to keep driving forward, keep improving and winning matches. Most importantly we need to concentrate on ourselves."

The Town will be looking to extend their unbeaten league run to 12 games against the relegation threatened Reds on Saturday, but the manager will have to do so once again without the services of Keith Keane.

The Luton-born midfielder isn't likely to return for at least a week as he nurses a hamstring injury.

And the boss also has concerns over the fitness of Amari Morgan-Smith after the leading goalscorer limped off in Wednesday's game.

"We've got one or two concerns," Brabin said. "But we've got another 24 hours before we assemble the squad. Certainly Amari, we'll see how he is but the problem isn't as bad as first feared.

"Keith's not fit and he's been to see a specialist on his hamstring and it's a waiting game with him but Dean Beckwith and Shane Blackett are back in training."

With the transfer deadline looming next Tuesday, the boss revealed he has identified two players to bring to Kenilworth Road - but Brabin admitted that given the quality available to him already he will be in no rush to go out and snap them.

"We're always looking, but they need to be the right type and be able to come in and improve us," Brabin said. "There are one or two we're assessing but we're not in a desperate rush.

"Any manager at any club is always on the look out to strengthen their squad.

"All I want to do is make sure we get everyone fit."

 

Amari Morgan-Smith: The Town's top scorer is a doubt for Saturday's game with Alfreton.

Remember lutontown.co.uk will have full live coverage tomorrow. Live free text commentary and live, uninterrupted radio commentary on Hatters Player.