Boss Harriman admits Diamonds have to ‘go back to basics' after Anstey beating
Boss Michael Harriman admits AFC Rushden & Diamonds have to 'get back to basics' after they suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat at the hands of Anstey Nomads on Tuesday night.
The defeat in the Pitching-In Northern Premier League Midlands Division followed on from a 2-0 FA Cup loss at Newark & Sherwood United on Saturday and last Tuesday's 2-1 loss at Bedworth.
The mini slump has come after what was a promising start to the season, and although not in panic mode, Harriman says he is keen to get things back on track quickly.
Diamonds are without a game on Saturday before they host Loughborough Students at Hayden Road on Bank Holiday Monday (1pm), and Harriman says he and his players will be working hard to turn things around.
"We need to get back on the training pitch, we have two sessions before we play on Monday, and we will keep working and keep working until those mistakes are nullified," said the former Northampton Town defender.
"You want to be able to enjoy training and come in and have a laugh, but at the moment we need to go back to basics and we need to work hard.
"We need to stop this little run we are going on before we find ourselves in a situation like we were in last season.
"We are three games in, we have had mixed performances in the league, and we just need to go again."
Against an Anstey side that lost the play-off final last season, Diamonds got off to a flyer as Jamal Adams fired them into a second-minute lead from the penalty spot, but they were 2-1 down by half-time and then fell away after the break.
"It was a difficult night," Harriman told AFCRDTV. "We have got to be realistic here and realise that a team that finishes above Anstey this season will probably win the league, they are a very good side.
"They showed that in large portions of the game, and again we have been punished for our lack of conviction in the defensive third. It was a tough night.
"It was an improvement on Saturday, we started well and took the lead so early, but it should take until you go 3-1 or 4-1 down before you then show a bit of fight and bravery to go and get on the ball.
"It is a disappointing night, we will look back on it and we have a few days now to get back on the training pitch which will be brilliant, and we have to draw a line under it and move forward."