Top 10 is still on the agenda for Lancaster City boss

Lancaster City boss Phil Brown insists his side can still hit his target for the season if they put in more consistent performances.
Steve Williams picked up a toe injury against WorkingtonSteve Williams picked up a toe injury against Workington
Steve Williams picked up a toe injury against Workington

The Dolly Blues’ 2-0 defeat at Workington on Easter Monday leaves them 17th in Evo-Stik Premier Division ahead of hosting leaders Altrincham at Giant Axe on Saturday.

Brown is still eyeing a top-10 finish however, despite City winning just one of their last six league games, the 2-1 victory over bottom side Sutton Coldfield Town on Saturday.

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“The target set by the board at the start of the season was to keep this club in the division and we’ve done that,” said the Blues boss.

“My own personal target was top 10 and that’s still on.

“We’re only four points off 10th but it’s getting those points.

“It’s achievable but I need the players to believe that as well.

“They seem to believe at the start of games but then lose belief or focus.

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“We can’t play for 45 or 65 minutes, we’ve got to play for 90. We’re playing against better players this year and we’re getting punished like we did on Monday at Workington.

“That’s been the story of our season and could be the difference between us finishing 17th and seventh.

“It’s really frustrating. I can’t fault the players’ endeavours this season, they never stop.

“But when it comes to the point where a game can go either way we tend to be the team that drops off. It’s a mental thing.”

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Next up the league leaders are in town, the Robins five points clear at the top as they look to work their way back up the pyramid after back-to-back relegations.

“I still see no reason why my team can’t get something against anyone we play in this league,” Brown said.

“We showed against Chorley in the semi-final that we’re not afraid of stepping up and meeting challenges like this head on.

“I don’t see Saturday being any different.

“We just need to sustain our level of performance and if we can replicate some of what we did against Chorley then we’ve got a really good chance.

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“No disrespect to Altrincham, they are a good side and are top of the league for a very good reason, but this is about us and how we perform on the day.”

Hannu Tam will be missing due to a family commitment with Tom Kilifin also unavailable because of work.

Steve Williams picked up a toe injury in the Workington defeat.