Manager Mark Atkins says his Matlock Town side need to transform their improved mid table form of 2009 into a concerted push for a top ten place in 2010.
The former Blackburn Rovers Premiership title winner took over at Causeway Lane in November 2008 after the departure of former joint bosses Phil Brown and Gareth Williams and in January 2009 the Gladiators occupied bottom spot in the UniBond Premier Division.
But Matlock eventually retained their top flight status and went on to produce an overall league record in the calendar year of P 33 W 14 D8 L 11, scoring 58 and conceding 42. When cup fixtures are added to the equation, Matlock played 49 games in 2009, winning 23, drawing 11 and losing 15.
"Perhaps we're a side destined to be mid table in this division given the budget which really governs the players we can go in for, but we've got to push on in 2010 and try to secure a place in the upper part of the table. We need to keep our recent run of results going if we can and also it would be nice to try and win one of the cup competitions we're still involved in."
The Gladiators go into the next decade lying in 16th spot in a division where only two clubs now look like being relegated from a now twenty strong team league following the pre season withdrawal of Newcastle Blue Star and mid season demise of King's Lynn. In all probability there is really only one relegation spot still in the balance with foot of the table Durham City yet to pick up a point at the half way point of their programme. At present next to bottom Ossett Town look favourites to join them having three points fewer than Matlock and having played four more games. Even then, it's not a completely clear cut situation as other UniBond Premier clubs reportedly have financial problems.
2010 gets under way with a visit to Nantwich Town on New Years Day and a home clash with Guiseley on Tuesday night.
"Nantwich managed to get a game in on Boxing Day and got three excellent points at Marine so they will be full of confidence after a few dodgy results" said Atkins. "They were strong against us when they beat us 3-1 at Matlock so we'll have a really tough game for they're lively up front and solid at the back. Up at Guiseley in the first game of the season we did well in the first forty five minutes but in the second half they were too strong for us when they scored their two goals to win the match. They're looking to build again after one or two iffy results so again, it'll be a hard game for us, but we've been excellent at home recently so we'll be looking to secure the three points as we'll obviously trying to do at Nantwich."
A contributory factor in Matlock's bottom half position is that they have only been in league action twice in the last seven weeks due to the poor weather and cup games, their last league outing being a 1-0 home win over Boston United on December 5. The latest game to fall foul of the elements was the Boxing Day home derby against Buxton which was called off at 10 am with ice on the Causeway Lane pitch.
"We were all ready for the game because we're on a good run and wanted to keep on playing but again the weather had the final say and there's nothing you can do about it" said Atkins.
So midfielder Liam King will now serve his one match ban at Nantwich (weather permitting) when Matlock will also be without full back Lee Featherstone who has broken ribs. The Gladiators will also be talking with Sheffield Wednesday ahead of the trip to Cheshire about extending goalkeeper Arron Jameson's loan which came to an end over the Christmas period.
"Arron wants to stay with us so we'll be talking to Sheffield Wednesday as with their Christmas fixtures we haven't had chance to talk with them. Hopefully we'll be able to arrange something as Adam Sollitt's only had the one training session and is probably two weeks away from a return" added Atkins.
Apart from Featherstone and King, and with Jameson hopefully between the posts, Matlock expect to be otherwise at full strength as they look for a fifth successive league win.
Nantwich are offering free admission to children with one under 16 admitted free with an accompanying adult.
Matlock will be back at Nantwich in the UniBond League Challenge Cup on Tuesday January 12. Their 3rd Round tie at the Weaver Stadium was postponed for a third time last Tuesday. The winners will visit Mickleover Sports on Wednesday January 20.
