Hockaday wary over 'drained' youngsters
Kidderminster Harriers boss Dave Hockaday is wary of his emotionally drained youngsters as the club gear up for a vital relegation clash against Southport tomorrow.
Harriers conceded a 94th-minute goal as Altrincham salvaged a point from Tuesday's 2-2 draw.
He said: "We had a number of young lads in the team against Altrincham and a result like that will drain them emotionally as much as physically.
"So I have to be careful with that because a lot of players will need to be in the right mindset.
"I'll know a lot more after we have trained today when I will sit the lads down and look them in the eye."
Rock-bottom Harriers are still without a win and the visit of the Merseysiders – two places above them and also in the National League relegation zone – is stressed as the most important of the season by the boss.
Hockaday said: "You can look at the table and say that the game is huge but for us now every game is a huge game.
"The next game is Southport so that is our most important game of the season.
"If we can get the three points then that would be great. We need wins to catch the four sides ahead of us and we need to get those wins as soon as possible.
"It's about us and getting ourselves right.
"We weren't good enough against Macclesfield but against Altrincham there was improvement .
"Each game we are looking to improve and we'll have to improve.
"The lads will be given a roll call.
"We know what we have to do. But because of where we are we need to improve quicker."
Villa loanee Kevin Toner, 19, will be unavailable for selection again and he is still expected to be a couple of weeks away from fitness.
The defender was not involved against Altrincham.
Southport are only three points better off than Harriers, with only two wins so far this season – one coming from their last away trip to Woking.
