These are manager Steve Settle’s note from tonight’s programme, available on the gate for £2.

Good evening all and welcome to Brookburn Road for tonight’s crucial league fixture against our friends from AFC Liverpool. We hope that everyone connected with their club enjoys a warm welcome and an entertaining game. Stuart and Ben have worked extremely hard in their relatively short time as managers and following this evening we wish them well for the remainder of the season.

The importance of tonight’s game to us as a group cannot be underestimated. In the context of staying in the league it is vitally important that we pick up 3 points tonight. I have watched Liverpool recently at Maine Road, a game they deservedly won 1-0, and although recent results have gone against them, it would be foolish of us to underestimate the threat that they pose.

Last Saturday was an extremely poor performance away at Padiham. Whilst we had a few defenders unavailable with injuries or suspended, there are no excuses to concede goals in the way in which we did. Padiham did not have to work for any of the 6 goals they scored and at our level it simply isn’t good enough.
The lack of confidence and belief in our play at times was extremely worrying. It seemed as though the lads lacked the passion and pride that we expect of them as minimum requirements every time they pull on a WD&CFC jersey.

The lack of intensity does not represent the way I want my teams to play and some harsh, but honest words were spoken in the changing rooms following the game. I’m expecting a huge reaction from them tonight.

Looking forward the next 3 games in 11 days will be very important for us. If we can pick up 3 wins, which with the personnel we have we are more than capable of doing, it will go a long way to ensuring we have enough points in the bag to stay up. If we let ourselves down it creates more pressure with each game as the points become more essential. I know all of the lads are desperate to put in a performance for everyone connected with the club.

I’d like to take the opportunity to congratulate Jack Sargeant on his call up to the Gibraltar squad for their friendly against Latvia. He has been exceptional over the past 3 months and I was delighted to hear the news last week. Whilst we will miss him for a couple of games we hope he enjoys the experience and shows what he can do on the International stage.

As always thanks for the continued support and enjoy the game.

– Setts