HAVERHILL Rovers manager Peter Betts believes Saturday's opponents Felixstowe & Walton United have shown that the Hamlet Croft-based side can get out of trouble.
Felixstowe were second bottom around early December but four wins in their last five matches have moved them into the safety of mid-table.
And with a run of five of the next seven matches against sides outside the top ten, Betts is hoping Rovers c
an finally begin to turn good displays into victories to help to pull themselves clear of danger.
“Felixstowe have shown what a few wins can do because they have gone from second bottom to being in mid-table with four wins in five games,” said Betts.
“They are one of the form teams at the moment.”
The next six weeks couldn’t be more important for Rovers with matches coming up against Felixstowe (13th), Wivenhoe (11th), Woodbridge (19th), Ely (17th) and Whitton (18th) classed as games they need to be winning to get out of trouble.
“It’s going to be hard but we need to be beating teams around mid-table,” said Betts. “We’ve got a run of three games coming up in February where we have got Woodbridge, Ely and Whitton.
“If we can get approach those three games six or seven points better off we can be back close to safety by the end of those three games.”
If Rovers are to beat Felixstowe this weekend and move closer to Betts’ 40 point target for safety, they will have to do it without the influential Neil Cogger.
The winger/striker was available for Rovers’ last two matches which fell victim to the weather but work commitments make him one of four absentees this weekend.
“It drives you and the players crazy,” said Betts. “When Cogger is there, you want your games on.”
Marc Abbott (who is back in training after injury), Richard Heller (who has gone back to university) and Paul Abbott (long term injury) are also out.
Cogger’s absence is likely to mean a change in formation for the Reds with Betts reverting to 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 from the 4-3-3 played in recent weeks.
That should help plug the gaps at the back and would give other players opportunities to hold down places in the team, with Shaun Banham and James Walker battling it out to be Martin Westcott’s strike partner should Betts choose 4-4-2.
Saturday’s match kicks off at 3pm at Hamlet Croft.
As ever, any notice of postponement will be posted on our website, www.haverhillecho.com
n Read sports writer’s Derek Bish’s analysis of how important Rovers’ next seven matches are on Page 46.
