North Wales Crusaders head coach Carl Forster has said the the time for talking is over as his side prepare for a crucial Betfred League One encounter against fellow play-off hopefuls Workington Town this Sunday.
Forster’s side will make the journey to Cumbria following a bye weekend in which other results now see Crusaders sit seventh in the League One table, two points behind the final play-off place and four points behind Sunday’s opponents, Workington.
Looking ahead to the game, Forster said: “We’ve had a week off, but this is it now, we come back to the final run in and, for me, Sunday is a must win game if we want to finish in those play-off places come the end of the year.
“We’ve spoken several times this season as a group about resetting and going again, but the time for talking is over now, and we’ve simply got to go out there and get the result.
“Our backs are against the wall, I think as I sit here today I’ve got 14 fully fit players to select, and we’re looking at another matchday where the squad is rotated and combinations are changed – but we can’t go into the game feeling sorry for ourselves or making excuses.
“We’ve got to go out, play smart, play to our strengths and channel that spirit which saw us reach the play-off final against all odds last year.”
Looking at Sunday’s opponents, Forster added: “Look, Workington are a really good side, they’ve probably got the third biggest budget in the league this year, but they’ve had their own injury issues to contend with which has skewed their position in the table.
“They’ll be hurting from the manor of the defeat which we inflicted on them at our place, but for me focus is on us, the fact that we’ve already beaten them and we can do so against this weekend.
“We’re going to come up against a quality outfit, packed with some experienced players and a team who are in fine form right now.
“However, do I back our lads to go up there, get a result and keep our play-off hopes alive? Ofcourse I do.”
Forster has also moved to praise the loyal Crusaders support: “Our fans are the reason we do what we do.
“They’re there week in, week out, home or away.
“I know focus is slightly on next year, the exciting additions which we’re making, and that will always be the case when a takeover happens mid-way through a season.
“But, we need that support now, these lads need it, because this season is far from over.
“League One is a strange league, it’s unpredictable, you only have to look at our run at the end of last year to see that.”
