Adam Murray says recent backlash has made Kidderminster Harriers stronger after ‘strange’ spell
Adam Murray admits it has been a “strange” period at Kidderminster Harriers - but insists recent backlash has only made his side stronger.
The Harriers boss has issued a reality check, saying that the club cannot currently compete financially with the National League North’s other big spenders.
Murray’s side secured a narrow midweek victory over Merthyr Town to end a winless streak that included a 5-1 loss to Radcliffe at Aggborough.
Assistant manager Luca Nicosia was suspended after admitting to making an ‘inappropriate gesture’ to supporters, and ahead of hosting Spennymoor Town tomorrow, boss Murray admits it has been a challenging period.
“It’s been strange to be honest, really strange,” he said. “When I came in, my remit and target was to compete for the top seven.
“We are not an AFC Fylde or a South Shields, or some of the clubs that have huge budgets and can go and buy the top players to compete for the number one spots.
“We are not at that point yet, as much as we all want to be that club. I hope it will come in time, and it can in a number of ways, but our aim was to compete for the top seven and we are doing that.
“To lose a couple of games and get the feeling around the place, more outside than inside the club, was a new one for me, it was strange.
“It was important in that moment as a group that we understood where we were and what we had to improve on, and I feel that we have done that.
“As a group there has been an awful lot of change over the summer and at the start of the season and then there has been change within change that we didn’t plan for.
“It has been a little bit of a whirlwind start to the season and we just need a bit of composure at the moment. We have got that in the past two weeks, we have felt that things have calmed down, the mindset of the group has been excellent.
“I think the backlash that we felt has brought us closer together which has been good, and everybody is positive.
“The atmosphere inside the club and group hasn’t changed, we all understand that there have been areas to improve on, but the group believes in the potential and what we can achieve. I think we are in a good place to strike.”
Eighth-placed Harriers host Spennymoor of three places above them in the standings, and who are looking to respond to a 5-0 thumping midweek.
“When we play like we have in the past two games, we are a force for anyone,” added Murray.
“Spennymoor will be a really tough test, they have had a really good start, and then a tough result midweek. They are where they are for a reason.
“Our focus will be can we implement our style on them and hopefully we get the backing of our large numbers and it will be a positive.”
In the Northern Premier, Rushall Olympic make the trip to Whitby Town looking to bounce back from a 3-1 defeat to FC United of Manchester midweek
Meanwhile, in the Southern Central Premier, Halesowen Town host Needham Market looking to extend their unbeaten run to three league matches while winless in six 19th-placed Stourbridge welcome Stamford.
