Christmas period is key for Diss Town in their bid to move away from Thurlow Nunn League First Division North relegation dogfight
Manager Jason Cook has conceded Diss Town are in a relegation dogfight, and he has challenged his players to get themselves out of it over the Christmas period.
After a busy summer of recruitment, Cook had hoped to see his new-look Tangerines side challenging towards the top end of the Thurlow Nunn League First Division North.
But instead they are currently looking nervously over their shoulder, with Diss just one point clear of Felixstowe & Walton United Reserves in the second of two potential demotion spots.
However, Cook’s men have the chance to put some daylight between themselves and danger with a batch of fixtures against teams in and around them, starting with tomorrow’s home encounter against 14th-placed Cornard United (3pm).
That is followed by fixtures versus King’s Lynn Town Reserves (15th), Wisbech St Mary (16th) and Leiston Reserves (12th), with Cook targeting maximum points after a run of six straight league defeats.
“With the players we have we should not be there, but right now there is no hiding from the fact we are in a relegation dogfight,” said Cook.
“We only have ourselves to blame and it is down to us to turn it around.
“The Christmas and New Year period is very important because the games are against teams within touching distance.
“We want 12 points from the next four – anything else would be disappointing.
“Granted, with our form we cannot say we should be beating anybody, but we have good players and should be beating those sides.”
Cook has pinpointed Diss’ inability to see out games as a major reason behind their alarming slip towards the bottom two.
His team have taken the lead on numerous occasions and yet have only posted four First Division North victories from 17 outings.
It is a mentality that needs to change, with Cook admitting that good fortune may have to play a part.
“It has been so frustrating. We play some nice stuff, but miss so many chances and then get punished,” he added.
“The fear seems to come at the 70-minute mark and we cannot get over the line.
“It is confidence and belief – you cannot work on those things in training. We need a bit of Lady Luck to get us through a game and hopefully we kick on from there.”
Ricky Cornish and Stephen Vincent are suspended for the weekend.