Play Off Destiny Still In Our Own Hands

Last updated : 08 April 2005 By Stray Shots Team
Watson - Set To Start?
Aldershot News sports editor, Jon Couch has reported that Terry Brown's troops entertain surprise package Crawley Town at the Rec tomorrow knowing that three points are vital if the Shots are to harbour any hopes of reaching the end-of-season Play-Off's this term.

For the second game running, the Shots take to the field with plenty at stake as victory will not only exact revenge for their 2-1 defeat at Broadfield Stadium back in August, but also all but remove the name of Crawley from the Play-Off picture.

With four matches left to play, the equation for the Shots now is simple — win three and they should be OK, anything less, it's a lottery.

Brown for one, however, is feeling a lot better about the situation than he was two weeks ago, and believes it's up now to the lap of the Gods to decide which of the four teams fight it out for a place in the Football League.

“No-one knows if three out of four is going to be enough, or two out of four or even four out of four! You've just got to win one out of one and take it from there,” he said.

“Get past this Saturday and then teams are playing in midweek and dropping points as well as those who are earning points, so it changes all the time.

“At least we know roughly where we stand now and I think it's in our own hands.

“Technically, teams can overtake us but they are all taking points off each other at the moment. If we win three or four games, I'm sure we will be going to the Play-Offs.

“If we are to have realistic promotion aims then we should be looking to beat Crawley on Saturday.

“There's no excuses, we are going to put pressure on them early, break them down and really push for the three points because it's a massive game for us – a must win.”

Brown, of course, will be boosted by the superb 4-0 victory against Woking almost two weeks ago, while Tuesday night's Hampshire Senior Cup semi-final victory successfully dusted down the cobwebs after a Saturday out of action.

Similar to the preparation for the Woking game, the boss took some of his troops down to Broadfield during their Saturday day off to watch Crawley's 2-0 victory over Accrington Stanley – one which might offer the Red Devils a lifeline in their Play-Off bid.

But he was even more encouraged by what he saw during his own team's second half performance against Basingstoke on Tuesday night, which he believes showed plenty of good signs for the run-in ahead.

He added: “It's very important to keep winning. I said that to them after Tuesday night's performance, you can't just turn the tap on and off.

“Winning is a habit and I wanted them to keep that habit. I thought we just showed signs in the second half on Tuesday that we expected to win and that's always pleasing. I don't mean that in terms of complacency, but having the determination to go on and win the game. To have that at this stage of the season is encouraging.”

Injuries and recovery times permitting, Brown could have a healthy selection headache for the Crawley visit with his midfield four of Steve Watson (pictured), Gary Holloway, Jon Challinor and David Lee all in contention for places.

Add to that the wide men including the in-form Nick Crittenden and the man currently occupying the shirt, Dwain Clarke, then Brown has plenty of options to play with.

But the bad news, however, is that he will have to do it without talented young striker Jake Robinson, who was recalled from his loan spell by Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday.

Seagulls boss Mark McGee made the move to lure Robinson back after seeing his side slip into the relegation places on Tuesday night.

Robinson proved to be a useful addition to Brown's squad, scoring four goals in eight Conference starts.

The boss, does, however, have a ready-made replacement in new signing Jamie Slabber, who is now set to step into his boots alongside Tim Sills on Saturday.

The ex-Tottenham striker was ineligible for Tuesday night's county cup clash but is rearing to go in his bid for regular first team football
The boss also has a couple of injury concerns ahead of the big game with Watson his main worry.

The skipper went in for an injection in his troubled groin after the Woking victory and will undergo a late fitness test, while goalkeeper Nikki Bull and Ray Warburton are also fighting to be fit.

Bull is receiving treatment on a knee strain but should be fit to play, while Warburton, who was taken off after just five minutes of Tuesday night's cup semi-final with a nasty lump above his eye, should also be OK having been given the doctor's all-clear.

Like Brown, Red Devils boss Francis Vines has spent the last month piecing together a Play-Off-chasing side — desperate to keep his side in the hunt.

Saturday's victory over Accrington was their first Conference success in seven matches – a run which has seen them slide back down to 11th in the table.

Vines did make a last-minute move to sign Steve Burton from Scarborough and saw his faith re-paid when the striker notched his debut goal over the weekend

The boss did, however, lose striker Charlie McDonald, who was surprisingly off-loaded to Weymouth after enjoying a good season, while ex-Aldershot Town loanee Mo Harkin joined Forest Green Rovers on a deadline day transfer.

Like the Shots, Crawley won their way through to their county cup final on Tuesday night with a narrow success over a Conference South side —beating Sussex neighbours Lewes 2-1 to give them added confidence for the Rec encounter.

On the injury front, however, ex-Shots skipper Nick Burton — a new arrival from Farnborough Town — is injured for his Rec return, while Ian Simpemba suspended. Millwall loanee James Donovan continues to deputise.

Looking forward to the clash, Brown commented: “I don't see it as revenge in any way, it's just a massive three points for us.

“I've got a lot of respect for the fantastic job that Francis Vines and Dave Swindlehurst have done at Crawley and they come here with nothing to lose which makes them a dangerous species.

“I've had the good fortune of watching them twice recently — one a great win against Accrington and the other a poor performance against Leigh. We'll do our homework and exploit the weaknesses we've seen.”

With thanks to the Aldershot News.