Pike: Borough are in last-chance saloon

ALEX PIKE recognises that it's the last chance saloon for Gosport Borough as they visit Southern League premier division relegation rivals Dunstable Town (3pm).
Borough boss Alex Pike boss knows his side are in the last-chance saloonBorough boss Alex Pike boss knows his side are in the last-chance saloon
Borough boss Alex Pike boss knows his side are in the last-chance saloon

Both teams are cut adrift from the other sides at the bottom of the league and are looking to avoid the one relegation spot.

Borough are four points behind Dunstable with two games in hand.

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Pike knows his side can ill afford to fall any further behind.

‘This is the proverbial relegation six-pointer,’ said Pike.

‘Everybody recognises that we need to get something from this game.

‘We can’t afford to let Dunstable get seven points in front of us.

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‘Our performances in the last four games have been better. .

‘At Redditch we were good going forward and weak in defence. Then against Stratford it was the reverse.

‘In that game we didn’t look a goal threat until the final ten minutes.

‘There is a need to join both aspects together and produce a more complete team performance. I am confident the players can gel as a unit and do this.’

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The defeat against Stratford was particularly disappointing because Borough know it was a game they could have won. Stratford were nothing more than ordinary but on the day Borough failed to find any spark.

They produced a very flat performance, lacking drive, particularly in the midfield.

Pike has put in a number of seven-day approaches this week in a bid to solve the problem. He also hinted there is the possibility a loan player could arrive from Bristol Rovers.

Borough, at the moment, lack a midfield general, someone who can get them playing going forward.

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Ryan Pennery and Craig McAllister can offer a potent threat up front but they need a better service.

At the back, Borough have started to look far better organised and are beginning to stem the flow of goals conceded.

Pike is convinced all his team need is a bit more belief.

‘The longer the run without a win goes the more difficult it becomes,’ said Pike.

‘Despite this we have to maintain our belief. At times this is something that has been lacking.

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‘Players have to go out on the pitch with the belief they can win.

‘I have every confidence in the belief they can go to Dunstable and win. We have enough leaders out there on the pitch to achieve this.

‘Our priority hasn’t changed one little bit. We are single-minded in our determination to stay at this level.’

Borough should know early whether the game will go ahead due to the weather.

The Dunstable pitch is currently under snow and the league is encouraging teams to make an early decision.

If Borough do travel, Pike has a fully-fit squad to choose from.