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Can do better

20/12/2006

JOHN Reed and Steve Waywell are challenging their respective squads to improve their pre-Christmas form as the second half of the campaign approaches.

While Droylsden head the table going into the holiday period, both Stalybridge Celtic and Hyde United have work to do if they are to achieve what the duo consider a reasonable season.

Celtic are the highest-placed of the two sides as they lie 13th in the table with 27 points from 20 games, five behind fifth-placed Harrogate Town.

As for Hyde, they are 14th, two points behind Celtic and having played a game more.

Ahead of their game at Ewen Fields on Boxing Day, the pair have been sharing their thoughts about the season.

Reed is frustrated at his side's opening four months because, even though recent results have been good, he feels they should be in a better position.

He said: "I keep saying to the lads that on paper, they're as good as any squad of players in the league and they know they've let everyone down - myself, Mark (Atkins, assistant manager), the club and most importantly, the supporters - although they haven't done it on purpose.

"I could picture five or six games where we didn't perform to the level I wanted them to.

"If they had done, we could have been challenging for the title, never mind only being a few points off the play-offs.

"In my opinion, I don't think there's an outstanding team in the league. Anyone can beat anyone on their day."

It is a similar theme at Ewen Fields where Waywell believes his team are paying the price for an indifferent start to their season.

He said: "The season's been up and down. We started off very poorly and I don't consider the teams who have beaten us to be the best of sides when you think we've lost precious points against Worksop Town, Redditch United, Leigh RMI and Hucknall Town.

"It's a new team though with a lot of new players and I think the good thing is we're getting stronger."