Exclusive:'Believe' - Ian Watson sends strong message to South Shields players and supporters ahead of title decider
South Shields FC: Manager Ian Watson looks ahead to Saturday’s National League North title decider.
Ian Watson has warned South Shields against being distracted by events elsewhere as they look to make a final push for the National League North title.
The Mariners face a tricky-looking away trip to Kidderminster Harriers on the final day of the regular season and they must claim a win to preserve their hopes of landing a dramatic title win and promotion into the National League.
However, it is AFC Fylde that sit on top of the table ahead of the final 90 minutes of the season and the Coasters will claim the title if they can earn a win at Merthyr Town.
‘Out of our hands’
The North West outfit head into the final day of the season as favourites to be crowned champions - but Watson has stressed the need for his players to focus on securing a win in their own game as they look to overhaul the Coasters and secure promotion.
He told The Gazette: “Obviously Fylde getting that win takes it out of our hands but we have to go into the game at Kidderminster absolutely believing we can still do it and knowing this squad like I do, I know that they will believe.
“We will prepare for the game as normal because we don’t play occasions here. If you do that the anxiety and nervousness comes in and we didn’t do that against Bedford and we won’t do that on Saturday.
“I’d love to know how many box entries we had because I bet it was through the roof and they didn’t have many chances to score other than the one they scored.
“Sometimes that happens in football but we have moved on from it and our entire focus is on doing our jobs at Kidderminster.”
He continued: “We can only do our job and everyone says it’s out of our hands, which to a degree it is. But what is in our hands is what we can do and that is go to Kidderminster and try and win a game of football against a very good side. We know what Kidderminster can do but we will go there to try and win.”
‘The fans have been amazing’
One constant feature of a season of continuous improvement from Watson’s side has been the impressive backing they have received in home and away fixtures throughout the campaign.
The Mariners were allocated 1,150 tickets for the away end at Kidderminster and demand has been high from the minute the announcement was made earlier this week.
Watson has promised those traveling to the Midlands his players will do everything within their control to round off a memorable season on the highest of highs.
“The fans have been amazing, they’ve helped build the momentum throughout the season and we want to make sure we give them something to believe in and do everything we possibly can to make sure we can go to sleep that night knowing we have done everything we can to make it happen.”