Weir-Daley: Poppies squad fully behind the boss

In-form frontman Spencer Weir-Daley insists boss Marcus Law has the full backing of the Kettering Town squad

And the experienced striker believes it’s time for the Poppies squad to repay the faith their boss has shown in them as their topsy-turvy season continues.

With the pressure firmly on Law and his players last weekend, they came out fighting and inflicted a 7-0 hammering on St Ives Town.

Weir-Daley hit four goals for the second successive weekend having previously achieved the feat in the 5-1 success over Market Drayton Town in the first qualifying round of the Buildbase FA Trophy just under two weeks ago.

The win at St Ives was much-needed but the Poppies remain off the pace as far promotion and the play-offs in the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division are concerned.

Law’s position has come under scrutiny in recent weeks, particularly from the Kettering fanbase.

But, as they prepare for Saturday’s FA Trophy second qualifying round clash at Witton Albion, Weir-Daley is in no doubt about the squad’s view on their boss and he conceded the Poppies players have under-performed.

“Everyone has their own relationship with the manager no matter what club you are at,” the Poppies’ top scorer, who has hit 15 goals in all competitions so far this season, said.

“As far as we are concerned, we are all behind the manager. He’s a good guy and sometimes he can be guilty of being too good and that’s not something you get that much in football.

“But there’s no doubt when I look around the squad that everyone is behind him.

“I think it’s time for us to pay him back for the faith he has shown in all of us.

“We need to sort ourselves out and make sure we are performing like we know we can on a consistent basis.

“We know we have under-performed and I have been around long enough to know that when things aren’t going well, it can create extra problems from the outside.

“As you get older and more experienced, you realise that times like these are part of the game.

“It can definitely affect the younger players but when all the talking stops, it’s up to the players to go and do the job.

“And last weekend, I think we were relaxed. The manager stayed calm and we went out and performed well because we were relaxed about things.”

The Poppies, meanwhile, have been handed a home clash with Brackley Town in the semi-finals of the NFA Hillier Senior Cup.

Kettering beat Peterborough Sports 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw on Tuesday night.

They will now battle it out with Brackley for a place in the final on the week commencing February 6.