New Matlock Town boss Mark Atkins remains confident that the Gladiators can fight their way out of relegation trouble despite a 3-1 defeat in his opening match in charge at Frickley Athletic last weekend.
And he is approaching this weekend's massively crucial home meeting with fellow strugglers Worksop Town in an equally ebullient mood.
"When I took on the job I knew it'd be difficult but I'm not at all overawed at getting us out of trouble" he insisted.
The defeat at the GMB Stadium left the Gladiators full of relegation worries, particularly as most of the teams around them attempting to escape from the bottom four drop zone slots have played fewer games.
Worksop are currently second bottom, three places and three points behind Matlock with a game in hand and a significantly inferior goal difference, so the importance of the clash cannot be overstated. Matlock go into it looking for their first league double of the season, for back in September they won 1-0 at Worksop's temporary home at Hucknall thanks to Simon Barraclough's last gasp spot kick, their only competitive away victory in a year.
Atkins is hopeful that he will have added to the Gladiators squad ahead of Saturday.
"People say that the Worksop match is a massive game but in our position every game is as big as the next. I've seen Worksop twice this season and think we've got enough to beat them. Nobody threatens us in this league but they have recently added to their squad with two new centre halves coming in and a midfielder but we've also got good players capable of putting a run of results together . I'm in talks with three players this week and I hope that at least one will be with us by the end of the week. So we'll go into the game looking for the victory."
Atkins was not as scathing as some of the supporters who witnessed the disappointing defeat at Frickley, Matlock's fourth on the trot. They are presently winless in six league matches since a 3-2 home win against North Ferriby United on October 14, having picked up a meagre two points.
"I was happy with their effort and perhaps people don't appreciate it was probably difficult for them trying to impress" he conceded. "Our passing and movement is usually good but for some reason that didn't materialise. We didn't play enough when we got into their half so we didn't create the opportunities to capitalise."
Atkins was then frustrated when Tuesday night's scheduled UniBond League Challenge Cup 3rd Round tie at Buxton was postponed just over half an hour before the kick off.
Both clubs were stunned when Stockport referee Trevor Massey called the match off due to a frozen pitch. While the goalmouths were a little crisp, the rest of the Silverlands surface was soft and both teams had an impromptu training session once the official had made his final decision.
"I was disappointed it was off as we could have done with another game as there were no points at stake and it could have taken the pressure off a bit. Both myself and John Reed the Buxton manager agree that it was fit to play, as did everyone else, but once the referee has made his decision there's no point in arguing about it as he may remember it if he refs us again. However we might get a couple of the injured lads back for the game when it's played and at least we won't have hopefully got any more knocks before Saturday so it could work in our favour" said Atkins.
The League Cup tie will now be played this coming Tuesday, kick off 7.45 pm.
Good news for Matlock is that Steve Warne could be fit for a return against Worksop while for top scorer Ross Hannah it's a wait and see scenario. Hannah came off after an hour at Frickley in discomfort once more from his groin injury.
"We're hoping Steve Warne will be fit for Saturday. Ross Hannah is still very tender. He's having physio this week so we'll see how it goes."
Matlock though will be without defender Ryan Laight who begins a two match ban following his sending off in the home loss to Ossett Town a fortnight ago. Laight was also dismissed in the defeat at Hednesford Town in September, hence the two match suspension as opposed to the earlier one game break.
Meanwhile defender Ashley Foyle has undergone minor knee surgery and is targetting a return against Buxton in the New Years Day derby at Causeway Lane.
Foyle has been out of action since the home defeat by Boston United on September 20.
"I've had the operation and the surgeon didn't have to do as much inside my knee as he anticipated so I shouldn't be out for as long as I first thought. If things go to plan, and providing I'm selected, I'm looking at the game on New Years Day against Buxton to be playing again."
Matlock will be at home to UniBond First Division South Glapwell on Tuesday December 16 in the third round of the Derbyshire Senior Cup in what is a reversal of last season's tie at this stage. A year ago, Matlock travelled to Hall Corner but were dumped out of the competition losing 2-1 at the then Northern Counties East League side.
"Glappy", managed by former Matlock full back Les McJannett who has ex Town striker Kevin Gee as his assistant, also have midfielder Matt Varley who had two seasons at Causeway Lane six years ago in their ranks and they won promotion after finishing as runners up to Winterton Rangers last term.
