Time to step up and be brave says Boston United manager Paul Hurst
Struggling Boston United make the long haul down to Eastleigh for an early televised 12.30pm kick-off on Saturday with boss Paul Hurst calling on his players to be brave and step up to the plate.
The Pilgrims are in the National League drop zone on goal difference after only winning three of their first 13 games, two of them away from home.
A stoppage time goal sent them unluckily spinning to a 2-1 home defeat against Southend United in their last league game before county rivals Scunthorpe United triumphed there 3-1 in the FA Cup last weekend.
“It has been tougher than we all wanted, but sometimes you have those periods and that is the challenge,” said Hurst.
“As manager and, I guess, the leader, I have to do all I can to find the answers to help the players.
“But I also want accountability from everybody.
“We need people to step up and be brave to try to get better results which is what everyone connected with the football club is craving.”
On the last two games, he said: “We were all frustrated with the Scunthorpe game. It's a cup competition so no second chances – we are out of it, and we were playing local rivals.
“I have watched it back and there wasn't a lot in it. They just scored important goals at certain times and there was a little bit of bad luck and some bad decision making on our part which means the game takes a certain direction.
“But I was really pleased with a lot of our performance in our last league game against Southend.
“If we'd taken a point I think we'd have all said it was deserved.
“Often football is small margins. But if you keep on coming out on the wrong side of things you have to do all you can and concentrate on the finer details.
“Get as many of those right as you can and you give yourself a better chance of winning.”
The early game at Eastleigh is followed by two big home games with bottom club Gateshead visiting on Tuesday night before a home rematch with Scunthorpe in the league on Saturday week.
“They are all important games in reality,” said Hurst.
“Eastleigh have probably done all right at times. I've seen them get a draw against Southend with a late equaliser and they did quite well.
“But there will be other games when I am sure they would have liked to have done better themselves.
“Saturday is an early kick off and, while I have no qualms for us, for the fans I am not sure that is the best way forward.
“While people might be able to watch it on TV, we have supporters who want to go and watch it.
“So to ask them to get down there for a 12.30 kick off seems a bit odd to me.
“We do see this game as our next opportunity but I am conscious we then have Gateshead and Scunthorpe here.
“We have to start picking up points – there is no hiding away from that.”
On the weekend's squad, he added: “I think we will be the same as last Saturday with Gavan Holohan and Levi Sutton missing.
“Overall we have been pretty good on the injury front this season so I can't have any complaints on that front. If we have two missing again then so be it.”