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Nicholson mounts case for defence

30/12/2003

GLOSSOP North End manager Chris Nicholson reflected on his team's progress this season by admitting they could be higher up the league than they already are.

The Hillmen are sitting relatively pretty in the North West Counties first division's mid-table, having been one of the teams earmarked as potential strugglers back in August.

One thing troubling his mind at the moment is the number of goals being conceded.

Having hauled themselves back to 3-3 with Woodley Sports just before Christmas, they gifted the opposition a late winner.

Nicholson said: "At 2-0 down at half-time we left ourselves with a mountain to climb, we climbed the mountain and subsequently fell off the summit!

"Woodley are a good side, not many will score three against them this season but we showed them too much respect. We were a little naive in dealing with situations that would have yielded a very worthy point, but they will learn from that.

"It would have been nice to complete the pre-Christmas programme with 31 points, having drawn against the third-placed team (Woodley), beaten the fourth-placed team (Fleetwood Town) and drawn with the fifth-placed club (Curzon Ashton).

"Second half of the season, we need three wins to stay up from 15 games."

At present, three of Glossop's back four are aged 17,18 and 19 and lack of experience is one of the apparent reasons for goals being conceded.

While he is keen to bring in some older players, the squad has been praised for their displays so far.

Nicholson added: "Although I'm pleased with 30 points, if we had done certain things in the right areas of games we would be on 38.

"What worries me is we're scoring three goals at home two weeks in a row and losing games, we're high on commitment but low on experience.

"We are looking to build on what we have achieved and if we can get 20 points I'll be a happy man."