North Wales Crusaders head coach Carl Forster has insisted his side are ready for the business end of the season as they begin their title run-in this Sunday with a trip to the North East where they will meet Newcastle Thunder.
Forster’s North Wales sit three points clear at the top of Betfred League One with two games in hand on second placed Workington Town, and know that three wins from their remaining six games would clinch the league title regardless of results elsewhere.
Speaking to the media ahead of this weekend’s journey to Tyneside, he said: “We’ve had a week off last week after some really tough games against the likes of Workington, Midlands and Dewsbury, a few results from the teams who have played last weekend have gone our way so we’ve got a clear picture of what we need to do now in these final six games.
“There’s noise from outside the camp, ofcource there is, but for us as a playing group it’s got to be heads down and focused on what we’ve been doing well all season to put us in this position – nothing has been won yet.
“Up until now, we’ve not really looked at the table, obviously this week we’ll sit down and take a look at the month ahead and probably break the remainder of the season into two parts.
“My first goal is securing a top four finish, that can be done with a win this week up at Newcastle, and then gives us those extra games at the end of the season for a chance to get promoted to the Championship.
“Once we’ve secured our place in the top four, attention will turn to winning the league, but we have to understand that it also puts a target on our backs, every team will want to spoil the party and get one over on the league leaders, so we have to remain grounded, and I’m sure that we will do.”
Focusing on this Sunday’s opponents, Newcastle Thunder, Forster said: “On paper you look at it and probably have us as clear favourites, but I want to be really clear that we’ll go up there Sunday and show Newcaslte all the respect which they deserve.
“I don’t want any player getting off the bus thinking the game is already won, because there’s a Newcaslte side there capable of hurting us, they’re relentless and it’s of great credit to them that even during heavy defeats this season they’ll keep going until the final minute.
“That’s a sign of the character within their squad, and it’s something which we need to be really aware of, we’ll need to be on our game.”
Ahead of the final run-in, Forster will also be boosted by the return of injured players, some of whom may appear this weekend: “It’s probably gone a bit under the radar because of the form we’ve been in, but when you look at the injuries we’ve had this season, we’ve had to do it tough at times.
“The week off last week has allowed us to get some of those lads back, the likes of Ben Evans, Jake Spedding, Jordan Case and Matt Reid will all be eager for game time, likewise we’ve got Shaun Costello, Toby Hughes, Matty Unsworth and Jamie Jenkins who have probably had less minutes than they’ve deserved so far this year simply because of our good form.
“But, it’s this stage of the season where each of these lads will play a huge part, and that gives me a selection headache come Sunday, but it’s a nice problem to have.”