Long confident Rushall Olympic can turn season around despite poor run
Ian Long remains confident Rushall Olympic can turn their fortunes around and has called on his side to cut out conceding "sloppy" goals.
The Pics sit 19th in the Northern Premier League without a win in five league games, and have suffered three losses in a row.
They host Leek Town tomorrow, looking to complete the double over them, and claim just their third league win on home soil - something boss Long admits has not been good enough.
"We are going through a difficult period," he said. "We do feel that we are playing very well, arguably some of the best football all season, which sounds a bit crazy.
"We just haven’t been good enough in both boxes, particularly in the opposition box where we have given away really good opportunities to score goals.
"That is a big concern, and has been the story a lot of the season so far. It has coincided with giving away some sloppy goals as well and some individual errors which we need to stop doing while we are a little goal shy.
"Completing doubles over teams will be important if we are going to be successful. I do genuinely believe that we could still have a successful season even though we are where we are in the relegation zone.
"We are under no illusions that we have got to get results quickly. We have to take responsibility that results at home have not been good enough."
Chairmen John and Nick Allen issued a joint statement this week, calling for support while highlighting the challenges of the club's allocation to the Northern Premier League.
Long added: "The table is really tight, a couple of wins and we will be in mid-table. I think we are more than capable of doing that.
"We just need to ride our luck a little bit and get a scruffy one and perhaps hold onto that, and it could get us up and running.
"We have shown already this season that we are capable of putting a run of results together. I certainly am really confident and I think the players are too.
"I am not daft, I know it is those two business ends that really count, but I do feel we are really close and if we keep playing the way we are, we will get our rewards."
Elsewhere, league leaders Hednesford Town visit Warrington Town looking to extend their unbeaten league run to nine matches.
In the Southern Central Premier, Halesowen Town host Leiston, while early strugglers Stourbridge will look to continue their revival and secure a third consecutive win at Bury Town. New boss Scott Adey-Linforth enjoyed a winning start midweek with victory over Harborough Town.
In the National League North, fourth-placed Kidderminster Harriers welcome AFC Fylde.
