We need to start putting goals in the back of the net if we want to stay up, Workington Reds assistant boss Steven Rudd warns.
Reds are set to take on South Shields tomorrow at Borough Park, ko 3pm, in another crunch game as they battle against relegation from the Northern Premier League.
And with 10 games remaining, Rudd says that every last match is now a cup final to them.
“We are creating chances in games which is a plus but we need to start putting them in the back of the net,” admitted Rudd. “It would be more worrying if we were not creating chances but we now have 10 cup finals ahead of us and we need to score goals – it’s that simple.”
In a boost for Reds they have a strong squad available for selection with Rudd saying it is possibly the strongest team he has seen since he rejoined the club to assist manager Lee Andrews in January.
“This is possibly the strongest squad we have had since I came in,” he said. “We had everybody training which is a huge positive and they are all fit going into the weekend.
“The only person missing will be Dan Wordsworth who serves the last game of his suspension.
“It is a real positive for us that we will have to leave someone out as we have competition for places and we can pick a fully fit 16 that we think can win this game.”
Scott Allison is also back in the side and pushing for a return to the starting line-up after a long lay-off through injury.
“Hopefully he will start putting the ball in the back of the net soon. He has been out for a couple of months but he is looking good in training and he seems to have the bit between his teeth,” added Rudd. “I don’t know if he will start or be on the bench tomorrow as we don’t want to risk him and then lose him for the run-in so we have to be careful but it is great to have him back.”
It will be tough going against South Shields tomorrow as the north east side are chasing promotion lying third in the league.
And Rudd is well aware of the task in front of them, saying: “They are probably one of the best footballing sides in the league so we are going to be up against it but we have played two of the top sides in recent weeks and competed with them.
“This is a game I think we can get something from, our performances generally have been good but now we need to get something from the games – even if we have to win ugly. We need to get something from every game, hopefully three points but at least one.”
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