Sandy says Diamonds ‘need to stick together’ to end winless run

Mickleover are the visitors to Hayden Road on Good Friday (ko 3pm), while Diamonds travel to near neighbours Wellingborough Town on Easter Monday (3pm).

Diamonds went down 2-0 to Bedworth last weekend to slip to 10th in the Pitching-In Northern Premier League Midlands Division, and eight points off the play-offs, and manager Elliot Sandy pulled no punches.

“The past 10 days have turned our season on its head, and we looked like a side devoid of confidence,” said the Diamonds boss.

“We looked disjointed and didn’t really get going. We’ve given another penalty away and then we’re always chasing the game.”

A few weeks ago Mickleover were also play-off contenders, but no win in seven matches has all but ended their promotion hopes.

They’ve conceded three goals in a game on four occasions during that period.

On Monday Diamonds then travel to the Dog & Duck to face promotion hopefuls Wellingborough Town.

The Doughboys are in good form with only one defeat in their past 10 matches, albeit five of those games have been drawn.

Sandy is well aware that the recent winless run has to come to an end if the season isn’t going to end on a low.

“We’ve had a big run of fixtures in March, and four red cards and an incident at Loughborough that’s made the headlines,” said the Diamonds boss.

“We need to stick together and show what we are really about.

“It’s been a good solid first season, but I certainly don’t want to see the campaign fizzle out. We need to put points on the board and put smiles back on the fans’ faces.’”

With one eye on next season, the Diamonds boss had a message to his players.

“We can turn it around,” he said. “It only takes one result, but we can’t feel sorry for ourselves.

“The lads need to turn up for the next five games and realise that they are all playing for their shirt for next season. They need to show me how much they want to be here.”