Wednesday 13th April 2011
by IAN RICHARDSON
Manager Mark Atkins has conceded that his side's hopes of reaching the play offs are all but over.
At the end of February, the Gladiators were riding high in second spot in the Evo-Stik League Premier Division table, but since their 2-1 win at Whitby on March 9th, their form has been nothing short of disastrous with a meagre return of 2 points out of 24.
The defeat which broke the camel's back came at Ashton United on Monday night when errors at the back again returned to haunt Matlock after a nearly faultless defensive performance in the unfortunate 1-0 home loss to Bradford Park Avenue last weekend.
Matlock now lie as low as eleventh and while there is just a sniff of an opportunity if they win all of their remaining four matches and other play off chasing teams slip up badly, it has to be accepted that this is extremely unlikely to happen.
"To be honest, I think that's just about it for us. It's hard to put your finger on exactly what's gone wrong but sometimes that's how things go. That's football.
"It's fair to say that our passing game going forwards hasn't been as good as it was in recent weeks. But now is the time for us to get as much pride as possible and not let the season peter out. We must still get as many points as we can. Life goes on and I'm sure that the lads will still give 100%."
Atkins admitted this was his worst run as both a player and a manager.
"I can't recall ever having a run like this before. I'm the worst loser ever; I'm ever so disappointed. The lads are distraught; it's really hurt them. But they will still show qualities of desire and determination that they have given me for most of the season. It's a case of sticking together and keeping going. There's always next season to look forward to."
Atkins looked to be fuming at the final whistle but had calmed down somewhat by Tuesday night.
"We passed the ball quite well at times but we were too eager to win too early" Atkins said. "Then we left too many gaps at the back. The difference between the teams was in both penalty areas. We didn't defend our own area well and we gave away three easy goals. The quality of our balls into the box could have been better, we failed to make the most of some promising situations, particularly in the opening fifteen or twenty minutes of the second half when it looked as if we'd go on and win.
"Because the lads were eager to put things right, the ball was played in too quickly. The lads are desperate for the win but after being on top, we let them have a free header for the second goal and the third one came from a long throw. There were a few positives to come from the game which we've got to take into the game at Hucknall on Saturday."
Atkins was encouraged by the performance against Bradford when a late penalty proved to be the difference between the two sides after Matlock had a strong appeal refused. He questioned the validity of the spot kick.
"It was never a penalty in a million years" he snapped. "We attended a meeting with the FA at the start of the year with Neal Barry being there and he told us that referees have to be 100% definite before making such decisions. If it had been definite then he'd have given it straightaway, not delaying his decision like he did. That cost us and the incident with James Knowles looked more of a penalty than the one he awarded. It should have been a 0-0 draw but it wasn't and it's a matter of getting on with things.
"There was only one good chance for either side and they weren't taken. I'd spoken to the players about giving as much as they'd got in the remaining matches and they certainly did that against Bradford and in the match before at Halifax."
Hucknall lost 6-0 at Bradford on Monday night so Matlock will approach the derby game hopeful of arresting their slump, but remembering that the Nottinghamshire club gained a surprise 2-1 win at the Reynolds Stadium in November.
Then comes Matlock's penultimate home game of the campaign against Nantwich on Tuesday. Both sides have struggled this term and are presently battling to beat the drop, but Atkins has issued his troops with a warning ahead of the matches.
"In this league you can win any game and you can lose any game. You have to be up for every game and if you are, then you've a chance of winning it. Both Hucknall and Nantwich are desperate for the points so they'll battle hard. We have to meet that challenge and then hope our football sees us through."
Atkins has also hinted that players are performing to remain part of his plans for next season.
"I don't think it's rocket science that if we're to make a challenge next season, then we need to improve the squad. So if the lads that we currently have here want to stay on next season, now's the time for them to show me what they can do.
"It's fair to say that I've learned more about people in these last few games when we haven't been winning than when we were having better results. I still have utmost confidence in these players, perhaps at times they don't believe enough in themselves. Perhaps we need more experience in the squad but that costs money. Perhaps also we need to be a bit more street wise and have that extra bit of knowhow. At times that lack of experience has told on us."
Ross Hannah came on for the last third of the Bradford game and played the full 90 minutes without any reaction after his hamstring problem. Liam King should return to the squad after suspension at Watnall Road, while there is a chance that striker Lee Morris, who injured a knee against Bradford, could be back in action after missing out at Ashton.
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