REDDITCH United boss Paul Smith knows his side will have to produce a vastly improved performance if they are to return to winning ways against Lowestoft Town on Saturday.
The Reds were hugely below-par at the Trico Stadium on Saturday in slipping to a 1-0 defeat to rock-bottom Bedworth United, for whom it was just a second win of the Southern Premier Central campaign.
Despite the setback – which followed a haul of ten points from five games – United remain 14th and ten points above the drop zone, but Smith knows many more repeat performances could still result in his side looking over their shoulders during their remaining 16 games of the season.
He said: “We missed two huge chances in the first 15 minutes and that cost us dearly as if we’d scored them it’s a completely different game.
“Although we piled on huge pressure in the second half, we had no cutting edge. Bedworth took their one chance and held out very well. We are Jekyll & Hyde at the minute.”
Redditch, however, have a decent chance to net their tenth win of the league season this weekend when they travel to Suffolk to face a Lowestoft side sitting one place above the relegation zone and nine points behind their visitors.
United will make the 400-mile round trip boosted by the return to the club of striker Danico Johnson who is starting his third spell at the Trico having previously played under Liam McDonald and Darren Byfield.
Johnson has been in fine form this season having scored 20 goals in 26 games for Rugby Town in their push for promotion from United Counties League Premier Division and Smith is delighted by the signing having last week seen forward Mitch Piggon depart.
“Danico is a big, strong and proven goalscorer who I’ve worked with previously. He is certain to add a different dimension to our front line.” said Smith.
Also in contention for a spot in the squad over the coming weeks and months will be academy player Mo Konteh who has signed first team forms.
Smith added: “I keep a close eye on the academy and reserves sides and Mo has scored lots of goals and impressed greatly. He is a young man who will improve from being in and around the first team.”
Elsewhere, star forward Shaquille Leachman-Whittingham has been selected to represent the Football Association in a match to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Herefordshire County FA.
The Herefordshire FA will mark the milestone with an anniversary game at Edgar Street where a Herefordshire Select 11 will take on a predominately England C Team on February 12.
