Lowestoft Town joint boss Micky Chapman believes all the pressure is on league leaders Sutton Unitedahead of their clash at The Borough Sports Ground this afternoon, kickoff 3pm.
The Blues lost their first match since September on Tuesday night against Tooting & Mitcham, leaving them 13 points off Sutton with four games in hand, but Chapman insists it is today's opponents who will be feeling the heat on their home patch.
'It's a cracking game to get ourselves back on track,' said Chapman, whose
side look set to enjoy excellent support thanks to the three fans' coaches making the trip. 'We're probably the underdogs but I think that's going to suit us. All the pressure is on them – we know they are a quality side but so are we and there's a long way to go this season.
'Saturday will take care of itself and we have got to look after ourselves
– we can't worry about what anyone else is doing as we can't affect it.'
Chapman said the squad remains in a positive frame of mind despite the midweek reverse and, with 54 points still to play for this season, the
management team is happy with the club's position among the division's
frontrunners.
'If anyone said to us at the start of the season that we would go on an unbeaten run from September to February then we would have taken that,' he added.
'We've got an excellent squad and we all firmly believe that it is going to
come right for us. 'We are barely halfway through the season and there's still a hell of a long way to go.
'It's safe to say that no-one is pressing the panic button.'
Lowestoft's preparations have been disrupted by speculation linking first
team coach Craig Fleming with the vacant manager's post at Conference
Premier club Cambridge United.
Chapman admitted earlier in the week that he is not surprised that
other clubs have been impressed by the job the former Norwich City defender has done alongside himself and Ady Gallagher but does not expect his head to be turned by the Conference Premier club's interest.
Fleming has played a key role in the success of the Trawlerboys over the
last few seasons and his stature among the players and the supporters
would be impossible to replace.
But one boost for Lowestoft is the fact that Lee McGlone could be ready
to make his comeback after being hurt in a car accident recently. The former Leiston man has been suffering from whiplash but could be involved while Andrew Cave-Brown is expected to come back into contention following a groin injury.
'We will be taking a full squad, which is a big boost for us,' added
Chapman, who could be tempted to hand Matt Nolan a start after he came
off the bench to score at Tooting.
'We can't wait for the game – this is why we're in football isn't it. We will
go there and be positive and hopefully get the right result.'
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