IAN LONG is demanding more battling from his midfield and more firepower from his attack to ensure Alvechurch secure the Midland League Premier Division title.
While the Churchmen continue their treble quest when they meet Coventry Sphinx at Lye Meadow on Saturday, manager Long says the last two performances have been disappointing.
They are still in a position most rivals would envy. A 1-0 win at Coventry United on Saturday courtesy of Connor Deards’ early goal leaves the Churchmen nine points clear of second placed Coleshill Town and manager Long reckons six more wins from their final eight matches will secure the league crown.
And despite a 1-0 home defeat – their first loss in 2017 and ending a 13-match winning run – to Highgate United in Tuesday night’s Polymac Packaging League Cup semi-final first leg, they still feel they can progress in the return on April 11.
However, Long expects more and stressed the players need to continue to raise the bar.
“The last two games have been disappointing in terms of the performance,” said Long. “There are areas we need to improve to get across the line.
“Defensively, we’ve been strong generally, although it was disappointing to concede on Tuesday from a corner.
“But in the middle of the park we got bullied against Highgate and that’s something we need to learn from. We need to buck our ideas up because we were sloppy in possession.
“Despite that we still had chances to win it but we didn’t take them. We lacked that little bit extra in the final third, with Josh March out injured, Danny Dubidat suspended and Josh McKenzie ineligible.
“But they should all be back for the weekend and that gives us more options.”
Long insists the League Cup challenge is far from finished – Alvechurch won 3-0 at the Coppice in August in the league – but he stressed the focus is very much taking “one game at a time”.
“It’s a cliché but it’s true,” said Long. “All we can do is to concentrate on winning our next game and that’s Coventry Sphinx.
“We’re still in a good position – there’s no reason to panic.”
Long will have options to change the team around when they face Sphinx at Lye Meadow.
Top scorer March is expected to be fit after a hamstring injury, Dubidat has completed a three-game ban while new signing McKenzie will be available after being ineligible in midweek.
In midfield, Reece Shilvock and Brogan Halpin will also come into contention while Babucar Sauane could push forward from full back.
Alvechurch accounted for Coventry United thanks to a single goal after just two minutes.
Deards was in the right place to bundle home the only goal after his initial effort had been blocked by defender Pierre Moudime following good play between Jamie Ashmore and Dave Bellis.
In midweek, one goal also settled the contest. This time it fell to Gate striker Marco Adaggio who scrambled home on 39 minutes after Aaron Brown’s header from Josh Hawker’s cross had been blocked.
Alvechurch pressed but Mark Smith, pushed up front as a striker, was denied by the woodwork with a header and Ryan Edmunds and Sauane both missed one-on-ones.
