Phil Parkinson has set his Altrincham players a target for reaching the end-of-season promotion play-offs and admitted it has to start with victory over Maidenhead United in Saturday's key Vanarama National League encounter at The J.Davidson Stadium.
Two away defeats in quick succession, at Aldershot and Hartlepool, put the brakes on the Robins' push for promotion to the Football League as they slipped out of the play-off places and dropped to eighth, though with games in hand on most of the teams above them.
As he took stock, Alty boss Parkinson pulled no punches about a second-half turnaround that cost his side dear at Hartlepool but insisted a play-off spot could still be achieved.
Setting out the requirements, he said: "We have to take maximum points available from our remaining home games, as well as at least three wins on the road, to have a shot at the play-offs. I'm incredibly disappointed and frustrated at the way the game slipped away from us at Hartlepool after we were in complete control throughout the first half and 1-0 up.
"We were the masters of our own downfall. There were things I was not happy with, and we know we are better than that. There are lessons to be learned and we have to take them on board quickly. We are lacking a bit of consistency, and when the pressure is on, like it was in the second half at Hartlepool, you have to be resilient.”
Reiterating the message he delivered on Altrincham Today last Friday, Parkinson added: "These are the times that we need the fans most. There is still a lot of football to be played, and the fans mustn’t lose faith, in the same way that we have not got carried away with our success earlier in the season. Stick with us - we need you here in numbers."
Alty's twice-postponed league match with Wealdstone has been rearranged for Tuesday March 26th at The J.Davidson Stadium, kick-off 7.45pm.
