FOOTBALL: SOLIHULL Moors boss Liam McDonald is preparing his side for ‘five cup finals’ as they look cement their position in the Vanarama National League.
McDonald has impressed since replacing Marcus Bignot as manager back in November but in recent weeks Moors have slipped from mid-table security to relegation candidates.
Four defeats on the bounce has got Moors fans worrying about the threat of relegation in their first season at this level, but McDonald has confidence in his side to bounce back to winning ways, starting with a trip to Tranmere on Saturday.
“The next five games are all cup finals and if we do not approach them as such we are likely to find ourselves in trouble,” said McDonald.
“The lads need to pull up their socks, rolls their sleeves up and put in a performance at Prenton Park regardless of the result. This Saturday it is back to basics.
“Yes Tranmere are pushing Lincoln because they are a very good side but we went to Dover not so long ago and came away with a point and I see no reason why on our day we cannot surprise the Rovers.
“I hope to have Shep Murombedzi back and with a bit of luck, Harry White too. This gives me more options. I was pleased to see Andy Brown lasting almost the entire game against Aldershot – his ability and experience are things we need now more than ever.
“We are not the first team to suffer an unexpected loss of form – look at Chelsea last season and Leicester this campaign. It is the first time as a manager that I have found myself in this position so it’s a learning curve for us all.”
Two goals by Kundai Benyu handed Aldershot all three points on Saturday, but McDonald feels his side shot themselves in the foot and were not beaten by a better team.
He added: “I was not happy with our performance. It simply has not been good enough for the last three matches.
“There is only so much we can do in between games – we set up properly, try to get our tactics right and we keep morale high. “The players know that our league position is not safe and they need to work harder, stay focussed through out the games and stick to the game plan.
“Our people marking has been poor, we gave away the sloppiest of goals against Torquay and last weekend our shape disintegrated.
“Three weeks ago I could not have foreseen we would be in this position but the players are letting themselves down and it needs to stop before Tranmere. We have taken our foot off the gas and that will not do.”
