Sandy demands reaction from Diamonds as they face yet another away day
Elliot Sandy is expecting a big reaction from his AFC Rushden & Diamonds players as they head to play-off rivals Carlton Town on Saturday (ko 3pm).
Sandy was not a happy man in midweek as Diamonds surrendered their unbeaten record in the Pitching-In Northern Premier League Midlands Division, going down 1-0 at Loughborough Students.
It was a first loss in 12 matches for the Hayden Road outfit, but they remain in a strong position in the league, sitting in 10th place and just three points off the play-offs, with numerous games in hand on all of the sides above them.
The trip to fifth-placed Carlton is Diamonds' last ahead of their huge FA Cup first round trip to Burton Albion next Saturday, but Sandy is telling his players they have to put that to the back of their minds this weekend.
The Carlton clash is the fourth in a run of seven successive road trips for Diamonds, and Sandy told @AFCRD: "The games come thick and fast, and we have got a lot of away games in a row.
"If Carlton watched us on Tuesday night they are going to be rubbing their hands together, because we weren't at it.
"But I know there will be a reaction from the lads and we will give it a right go against Carlton and we'll see what happens."
Injuries have started to bite the Diamonds squad, but Sandy is hoping to have some bodies back for this weekend for what he feels is a more important game than the Cup date at the Pirelli Stadium.
"I don't want people resting themselves for Burton, we need you in the league and that's what matters," said the Diamonds boss. "And if you are injured for Burton, you're injured for Burton.
"Hopefully we will have lads back and available, and will be able to give absolutely everything on Saturday."
Skipper Joel Nketia is also keen to right the wrongs of Tuesday night.
"The only good thing you can get out of bad results is the opportunity to try and put it right in the next game," said the midfielder.
"Carlton are no slouches, they are a really good side and were right up there last season and we just going to have to try and put it right as a collective.
"It is going to be a tough game, but they all are in this league.
"We will go there and will give it a right go to try and put things right."