You can bet your life this is a "massive" game for Kidderminster

Non-league / Frank Gregan / 04 December 2007 / 2 Comments

Legendary manager Frank Gregan tells us about the sort of pre-match talk that will be delivered to Kidderminster's players as they prepare to face Cambridge

"This is a massive game for us today lads - massive!" That must be the most common opening statement made by managers up and down the country every week. You can replace "massive" with huge, big or any other adjective that adds to the value of the game but the sentiment is the same. Trouble is, you say it so often that it starts to lose its effect. I have presided as a non league manager in over 700 games and I don't ever recall walking into a changing room and saying "right lads, no problem with this game, let's just go out, relax, enjoy the game." Even during pre-season and seemingly dead rubber league fixtures at the end of the season you are always trying to get some positives out of the match and the message to the players is always that "this is a massive game!"

However, there are certain periods during the season which are critical. We've just passed one and all managers still in employment will be sleeping a little easier. November is traditionally the "sacking season". The bullet can of course be fired (pun intended!) at any time but it is the dreaded month of November that we all fear. The reason being is that boards of directors like to give the new man coming in sufficient time to change the shape of the clubs' season but also want to be able to say that they have given the departing incumbent time. November is the month that is generally believed to fit the bill.

Having survived November a manager can then really believe that he will be likely to see the season out and continue to carry out his plans. It is still crunch time, the next month or so will see the respective finishing groups of a league table start to take shape. The league table will take the form of three groups at the start of the New Year. Top, middle and bottom. You can move from one group to another with either a run of inspired or dire form but the chances of leaping from the bottom group to the top group or vice versa are virtually non existent. In reality, it tends to turn into a battle within the three mini divisions.

Thursday's live game between Kidderminster and Cambridge United is a "massive game" for the Harriers and a chance to get in touch with the top group. They currently lie 9 points off a play-off spot but are only 6 points ahead of Weymouth who lie in 19th place in the table. A win is vital, it pushes them up towards the top third of the table and the area that they need to be in if they have any ambitions of a play off berth. A defeat will see them move towards that dreaded bottom third. Their manager, Mark Yates will have studied the league table from every conceivable angle and will know that this could well be a season defining game for them.

Cambridge are flying at the moment and this is going to be one heck of a tough game for the Harriers. Odds of around 3.1 on a Harriers win reflect this and I think that given Kidderminster's need that could be the value .

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Comments (2)

1. Ed | 06 December 2007

   I'm gonna disagree with the expert again and lay the Kiddies. Certainly agree they're no mugs but suspect Cambridge will have a bit too much for them.

2. gary boswell | 08 December 2007

   Nice one Frank although I'll bet even you will concede the linesman who gave the goal was looking the wrong way!

   I think it proves the old adage that favourites are always worth at least a look at taking on in non-league football!