Richard Brady has labelled Leatherhead’s crunch game with Harrow Borough on Saturday as their biggest of the season, writes James Dickenson.
The Tanners are embroiled in a relegation battle in the Ryman Premier League having failed to escape the bottom four all season.
Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat at home to Carshalton Athletic, courtesy of a goal by former Tanner Luke Pigden, followed on the heels of Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Concord Rangers.
They have taken just one point from their last five games and find themselves fourth bottom, four points adrift of Harrow, who sit one-place above them, and in desperate need of a result at Fetcham Grove on Saturday.
“It’s a massive game for our season,” said Brady.
“We have played games recently we should have picked up points in and it’s been a disappointing run.
“Confidence is draining from the players, but we have got to respond on Saturday – it is going to be a massive test of character.
“We need to bounce back quickly and secure three points to turn our season around.
“We have got to come out fighting.”
The former Sittingbourne manager was disappointed to lose to the Robins on Tuesday and lambasted his side’s failure to convert their chances against a team that has flattered to deceive.
“We had plenty of opportunities to win the game that we didn’t take,” he added.
“We conceded a sloppy goal but it was pretty even, and we were on top for a lot of the match.
“The boys lack belief despite creating so many opportunities, and maybe we lacked a little bit of composure up top.”
Injuries and suspensions have wreaked havoc on Brady’s plans this season, with a number of first team regulars missing, but he has no plans to bring in reinforcements.
“The number of players we’ve had missing over the past few games has left us desperately short but it’s difficult to change anything this late in the season,” he said.
“What matters is what we do on the pitch now.
“We need to defend for our lives in front of our goal and put pressure on our opponents in front of theirs.”
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