Atkins faces tough test

Mark Atkins' management credentials are currently being put to the test with the Gladiators' slide into the bottom half of the Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division table.

Just one win in their last ten league games has seen their season turn sour. Now he has to ensure the rot does not set in, with Matlock watching over their shoulders as to what the teams below them are doing.

Matlock is Atkins' first managerial appointment, and when he took over from Phil Brown and Gareth Williams back in November 2008, the Gladiators were in a perilous position and looking favourites to go down.

But the former Blackburn Rovers' Premiership winning midfielder successfully steered the ship through some rocky seas as Matlock survived, and they have since been comfortably away from trouble. Only a poor end to the season last term saw them miss out on what looked to be a fairly safe place in the end of season play-offs.

While the current situation is nowhere near as serious as the one he faced three years ago, Atkins is desperate to see an upturn in the Gladiators' fortunes.

Last weekend's 2-0 home defeat by Ashton United was of particular concern as a side below them in the table outfought and outplayed them in the first half and although a better second period followed when Matlock had two goals disallowed and Ian Holmes had a penalty saved, the visitors still deservedly won the match.

It was the manner of the defeat which hurt Atkins and the fans.

"The players' attitude just wasn't right, they were going through the motions. I saw it as a great chance for us to get our season going again but we fluffed it. I was very disappointed in how we approached the game and how we started it. We needed to be on the front foot from the off but we allowed Ashton to do that. Our defending in the first half was atrocious, we were soon two goals down. While the first goal was a good strike, we allowed him to go through us and the second from the free kick was an absolute disgrace with the poor pass and the foul.

"To go two down in a game where I thought we'd got a great chance of three points was very disappointing, but I'd warned the players beforehand that we faced a very tough game as Ashton always give 100% and have some very good players. I'm not forgetting the Ashton performance but at least we've got a chance to put things right. What's gone has gone and we must do better in the next game."

Despite losing a friendly at Rainworth 3-2 on Tuesday, Atkins said the game was useful as it gave Chris Bettney his first forty five minutes since sustaining a rib injury on Boxing Day as well as further match practice for new striker Liam Wilkin, signed from Baris NCEL Premier Division Winterton Rangers, and running the rule over another trialist. 6'2" central defender Laurence Gaughan, a former Eire international at under 17, 18 and 19 level will be a Gladiator once international clearance is received.

"Liam did well in the friendly at Armthorpe scoring a couple of goals so we're seeing what he can do at this level. he came on for the last fifteen minutes against Ashton and showed endeavour and desire which had been lacking.

"I spoke to Laurence in pre season but he went to Ireland but is now back after the club he was with went bust. I tried to get him again in December but he went on trial to Mansfield, but hopefully he'll be playing regularly for us once everything's sorted out with the international clearance. He's 6'2", good on the ball and can play in midfield as well as central defence so that increases our options in two areas."

Atkins is keen to boost his squad further before the weekend's trip to North Ferriby.

"A loan player turned us down this week but I've got seven days notice in on another player who if the deal comes off will add strength for that's something I feel we need at present as we tend to lie down and die if things aren't going our way" Atkins continued.

The clash at Church Lane brings together two clubs keen on righting the wrongs from last weekend. if Matlock thought they had a bad result, spare a thought for their former skipper and now Ferriby boss Billy Heath who had to watch as the Villagers went down to their biggest defeat in twenty years as Stocksbridge hit seven goals without reply at the Look Local Stadium.

"It's always a really tough game up at North Ferriby and I don't think that result will make much difference once Saturday comes around" said Atkins. "All that result proves is that anyone can beat anyone in this league and you have to be right for absolutely every game."

Matlock won their home game against North Ferriby 3-0 at the end of September. A win of any variety, no matter how it is achieved, would be gratefully accepted by Atkins and the fans on Saturday.