23/11/07

MOSSLEY manager Gerry Quinn believes the next week will provide a good indication of where his team is at so far this season.

Having faced Ossett Albion on Wednesday night, the Lilywhites then face UniBond Division One North leaders Curzon Ashton on Saturday before entertaining promotion-chasing FC United at Seel Park on Tuesday.

After watching his side beaten 3-1 by Clitheroe last weekend, Quinn believes consistency is the name of the game.

He said: “There’s definitely some big games coming up, but I’m glad we’re back to playing midweek matches. We haven’t had any for a couple of weeks which has broken the season up a bit.

“That’s why we were looking forward to last Saturday. If we could have got three points, we could have built on that but it didn’t work out that way.

“Every time you have a setback, you look at yourself as a manager and a team. I don’t think we’re a million miles off but we’re not good enough yet.

“It’s difficult to say where we need to strengthen – I wouldn’t like to say in all honesty – but I just think we need to pick it up all around.

“We just need to get a bit of consistency in our game because we’ve got the players – we seem to win a couple, lose a couple and then draw. If you’re going to be up there, you need a run of eight or nine wins and a few draws as well.

“It’d be nice to be successful at Mossley because I’m really enjoying it. I’m unhappy we haven’t done a bit better because everything’s there for us to be successful.

“I don’t think I’d have come back for any other club. The crowd give us good support, so it’s up to us to move the club on because everyone’s working hard to try and achieve that.”

CURZON Ashton boss Gary Lowe faces a selection headache for Saturday’s derby with Mossley.

Ahead of Tuesday night’s match against Clitheroe, Lowe was already without Dave Birch and Rhodri Giggs for the weekend clash against the Lilywhites.

Birch was sent off for the second week in a row as Curzon saw off Rossendale United last weekend, joined seconds later by Kevin Parr as both men were dismissed for second cautions.

Lowe was aghast to lose both men, particularly with Curzon facing a Mossley side who he believes will pose a serious threat to his team.

He said: “Gerry Quinn has done a terrific job there. People might be surprised he’s done it so quickly but I’m not because he’s a very experienced guy.

“We’ll have to be right on the ball to get anything out of Saturday, so losing Dave and Rhodri makes it that bit tougher.

“It’ll be a massive battle – anything we get, we’ll have to fight for.”

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