Diamonds will '˜stick together' as they gear up for Chasetown test

Diamonds remain in the final play-off position in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One South as they prepare to head to Chasetown tonight (Tuesday).

But Peaks’ team appear to be going through something of a blip with just four points coming from their past four matches and they go into this evening’s clash on the back of two defeats in a row to fellow promotion contenders Spalding United and Basford United.

Peaks was critical of his team’s display in the 3-0 loss at Basford on Saturday as they moved level on points with Diamonds while Leek Town also closed the gap.

But, with lots still to play for, the Diamonds boss insists he has full belief in his squad.

“We need to get back on track after the disappointment of the weekend,” Peaks said.

“The next game is always the most important one and we have to go and put it right but we are going up against a Chasetown team who are one the best we have played this season, they did a real job on us on our ground.

“But I think we are all looking forward to it. I am sure the players have felt as bad as me over the weekend.

“The goals we conceded on Saturday were shocking and we all know we can’t afford to defend like that again.

“But we have an honest group of lads and I believe in them massively.

“We have had some successful times here over the last few years and that has all been based on hard work and believing in each other.

“As far as I am concerned, Saturday goes down as a bad day at the office. After the disappointment of last Tuesday, it was important to start well and we were 2-0 down early on and we never recovered from it.

“We have 12 games to go and we have lots to play for. There are plenty of teams who don’t have that so we must be doing something right.

“We will stick together. We had a blip last year and we know that we have to get out of this one as quickly as possible and the only way to do that is by sticking together.”

Peaks made changes at the weekend with Nabil Shariff and Fazel Koriya both being dropped for the defeat at Basford.

And the manager insists he will assess things carefull again ahead of tonight with full-back Kyal McNulty already ruled out with a groin problem.

“I felt both Nabil and Fazel needed a rest, they were both professional about it and when it comes to the two goals we conceded, it’s not them I expect to be there heading the ball,” Peaks added.

“I made the decisions because we have the squad to use and I believe in the boys we have in it. We will look at it again for tonight.

“We don’t have Kyal available because he has a groin injury and there are others who are struggling.

“The lads have to be honest with me if they are feeling a knock and I spoke to all of them on Sunday morning and I know where we are when it comes to injuries.”