Devonshire admits form 'ain't great' but he's determined to turn around fortunes

Alan Devonshire concedes Maidenhead United's current form 'ain't great' but he's determined to turn around their fortunes in the second half of the season, and with players returning from long term injuries he feels he's got a better chance of doing that now.

United remain in the relegation zone after a disappointing first half display against Altrincham at the J Davidson Stadium on Tuesday evening.

The visitors conceded four times without reply, despite having plenty of chances themselves, and Devonshire admitted afterwards they've got plenty of work to do at both ends of the field.

Alex Newby netted a hat-trick while Regan Linney converted from the penalty spot to put the contest firmly to bed before half-time

The side haven't been playing dreadfully of late, having picked up a solid 3-1 win at Wealdstone and played well in the 3-1 defeat at Woking on New Year's Day.

Even Tuesday's 4-0 defeat at Altrincham 'wasn't a 4-0 game' according to Devonshire, but they're conceding too many goals and chances and not being clinical enough at the other end of the field. It doesn't help that eight of their last 11 matches in all competitions have been away from York Road and they'll be looking to make sure home advantage counts in their final 20 matches - all of them 'cup finals' according to Devonshire.

“It ain't great,” admitted Devonshire. “They’ve had four shots, and they’ve scored four goals. We’ve had about eight shots, and we didn’t score any.

“We missed chances, and they took their chances. That’s football, you have to be clinical, and you get days like that.

“We defended poorly though; we’ve got to step that up. We can’t defend like that.

“Listen, we’re in a situation where we’re in a dog fight, so I’m not going to be happy with things at both ends of the pitch, unless we’re winning.

“We had a good performance against Wealdstone and then the Woking one, where we again had a decent performance, but we lost. The performance on Tuesday wasn’t a 4-0 game but, at the end of the day, we got beaten 4-0, so, I’m not happy with that.

“But we’ve got some big games coming up now and we’ve got to be at it.”

The result leaves the Magpies fourth from bottom of the National League , a point behind both Wealdstone and Braintree Town in 19th and 20th and three points adrift of Aldershot Town in 18th.As Devonshire rightly points out they're still not cut adrift in the relegation places, like Ebbsfleet United appear to be, but they've still got a big fight on their hands to stay in the division.

Fellow strugglers AFC Fylde are the visitors to York Road on Saturday evening for this weekend's DAZN televised fixture (5.30pm kick-off) and they then face a tricky test at title chasing Barnet the following Saturday.

New signings Ricky Korboa and Noah Stewart will once again be in the squad for the game, but Devonshire said it would take them a little while to get up to speed in the National League having not played much of late.

“Any result would be good at the minute; however, it comes,” said Devonshire.

“It’s a results game and we’ve got some tough games coming up. But we have to get points.

“It will take them (Stewart and Korboa) time to get up to speed. They haven’t played enough, but I would say the squad is slightly better than it has been, and I have a bit more choice off the bench because we’re getting a few back now.

“It’s been hard this year because of the injuries. We’ve had six major injuries this year. Four of those players would have played for me all the time.

“It’s hurt us, but we’ve been in this situation before and have had worse situations. But it’s difficult and it’s getting harder every year. The money people are spending in this league is frightening really.

But, at the end of the day, we have a job to do, and our job is to keep going.

“Saturday (at home to AFC Fylde) is going to be a big game. They are desperate for points and we’re desperate for points.

“Hopefully, we get a bit of luck along the way, and it isn’t decided by referee’s decisions. We know how big the game is but they’re all big games, we’ve got 20 cup finals.

“We’re not in a situation like Ebbsfleet where you’re getting a bit adrift, and it feels like there’s no way up. We’re still in there and there’s lots of points to fight for. We’ll give it our best shot.”