Boss hoping for response to midweek set-back
After seeing his side slip to a surprise home defeat against Braintree on Tuesday, manager Paul Buckle has warned his side not to get complacent about Saturday's encounter with Nuneaton Town.
The Hatters entertain Boro at Kenilworth Road looking to bounce back to winning ways after the midweek defeat ended a run of three wins on the spin.
“It’s never simple,” Buckle told the press at his media conference on Thursday. “I actually feel there is a sense of realism around the club now - the fans know how difficult it is and have stuck with us.
“We’re right in there still and the results were kind to us the other night. There's lots of good teams in this league that can cause an upset on any given day so what we've got to do is get back on track.
“We need to take all those positives from the Braintree game into Saturday and get that wonderful feeling at quarter to five of three points and being back on track, right where we want to be.”
The game against a Nuneaton side without a win in seven matches will signal a third of the campaign passing and Buckle is confident that a good run of performances will see his side in contention at the top of the table.
“We've had our fair share of problems so far this season, but I'm thrilled with the atmosphere around the place,” said the manager. “I think we've created something strong, it was a strong performance the other night coming in off the back of three wins.
“We’re certainly going in the right direction, where as some of the teams at the top are yet to have a poor run - and it will happen. There are some good sides at this level it’s a very open league and I don't think anyone can quite call who will finish at the top.”
With Stuart Fleetwood suspended following his red card against Braintree, the Town will be without their top goalscorer against Nuneaton.
Striker Scott Rendell could make a return after a dead leg kept him out of the side in midweek but Buckle was delighted with the players’ response in training since Tuesday’s set-back.
“Everybody is buzzing, it doesn't feel like we've lost a game,” he said. “We’re all looking at it that we've only lost one in four, rather than defeat in our last game. We know so much went on in the game but I was so pleased with the performance, so pleased with the attitude of the players and the supporters, everyone and there's been a real buzz around the place since.
“There's a great togetherness which were going to need in this tough long season.
“Scott's leg is still a bit sore, he's not completely match fit but we'll have a look at it before picking the team but we've got lots of options up front with Rendell, Dan Walker and Jake Robinson.
“I won’t be afraid of playing Rendell and Jon Shaw together if we can get crosses into the box like we did on Tuesday night then that is a real option.
“Also we've got the option of playing Shaw up-top with Andre Gray with Rendell playing in behind like we have done before so I'm confident the mood the players are in t the moment they'll adapt to anything we choose to do on the day.”