WITTON Albion must treat every game like a cup final or else they will face the unthinkable prospect of relegation.
That is the belief of new boss Gary Finley who watched Witton throw away a two-goal lead at Ossett on Saturday in a defeat that leaves the Wincham Park side rock bottom of the UniBond League Premier Division.
Finley returned to the club as manager last week following Nigel Deeley’s sacking and he is now planning an overhaul of the squad after the weekend’s shock 4-2 result.
“Saturday was a real eye-opener for me, let’s just leave it like that,” he said.
“I will definitely be bringing in one or two players – perhaps on loan.
“We have to treat every game like a cup final. We can’t stand still and feel sorry for ourselves.
“We looked going forward in the first half so we can at least take some positives from the game.”
Finley’s first two signings Jamie Olsen and Mark Smyth played their part on Saturday with the latter getting on the scoresheet.
And the duo are due to start in Witton’s six pointer at home to Worksop Town on Saturday (3pm ko).
Visiting Town are partly responsible for Albion’s demise this season after they dumped them out of the lucrative FA Trophy competition with a 1-0 victory.
While revenge is not a word being spoken about in the Witton dressing room, the need for league points is critical.
And Finley, who is happy to be back at the club he left in 2005, is determined to turn the club’s fortunes around.
He said: “If I look back at when I first left the club, thinking about that particular time in my career, maybe I left Witton too soon and I was a bit hasty.
“I am more experienced now and I have got a job to do.”
Turn to page 38 for a match report and reaction to the Ossett Town defeat.
For a match report from Witton’s home clash with Worksop visit www.northwichchronicle.co.uk
