North Wales Crusaders head coach Carl Forster said his side will remain focused on their own game this weekend despite results elsewhere having the ability to play a part in the Betfred League One title race.
Forster, who made several changes to his side for last weekend’s thumping 72-6 victory over Newcastle in the North East, knows that a victory for his side over Swinton this week coupled with Keighley overcoming Workington would secure the League One title with four games to spare.
However, the North Wales boss is keen to remain focused as he spoke to the media ahead of the top of the table clash in Colwyn Bay: “We all know the permutations of this weekend, and yeah, it would be lovely be be sat here in a weeks time as Champions, but that’s also out of our own control, so as a coach I have to focus on us and what we can do.
“This weekend, that’s Swinton, they’re second for a reason, the only side to have beaten us in the league this season and they’ll really want to come to North Wales and make a statement on Sunday.
“I felt when we played them at their place we let emotions take over, a few ex-Swinton lads in our side probably over played and as a team we just went away from what we do well.
“Swinton have also added some more quality since then, so we’ll be looking at their last few games and we’re ready for a very physical game.
“If we do our job and come away with the two points, then we can look at results elsewhere at full-time, but with five games remaining, I’m very relaxed about the situation.”
With Jake Spedding and Jordan Case both returning from injury last weekend, coupled with the first appearance of the season for Jamie Jenkins and reserve player Kian Fishwick being brought into the fold, Forster admitted he’s got a selection headache this week.
“The lads who came in last week did really well, we knew that during the run-in we’d need ever member of the squad so last week gave me an opportunity to test a few different combinations and also get game time into lads who we’ll need over the next six to seven weeks, he said.
“They did really well, and they’ve certainly given me a headache when it comes to choosing the squad on Friday, we’ll be looking at training this week and then picking the 21 who we believe give us the best chance against a quality Swinton side.
“As hard as these decisions are, as a coach you want to have the quality and attitude in the wider squad where players are hurt at missing out and we as a coaching staff are having to make tough calls in terms of squad selection.”
Having seen his side run out in front of a healthy travelling contingent of supporters in Newcastle last week, Forster also called for a bumper crowd at Stadiwm CSM this weekend: “The support is amazing here, very passionate and vocal, these lads deserve that this weekend.
“From me, I’d like to see fans new, old and existing to come out in force on Sunday for what could be a huge occasion for us.
“As a club, we’ve done it tough the past few seasons, and it’s of credit to everyone from supporters, players, staff and previous board members as well as the current owners that we’ve got to this position.
“Let’s enjoy these moments together and create a massive atmosphere in Colwyn Bay this Sunday.”
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