"Things have changed for us!" Boston United forced to change mentality after month without action leaves them playing catch up

Pilgrims go from potential league leaders to 16 points behind without completing a match...
Pilgrims midfielder Paul Green. Photo: Oliver Atkin.Pilgrims midfielder Paul Green. Photo: Oliver Atkin.
Pilgrims midfielder Paul Green. Photo: Oliver Atkin.

Boston United have been forced to change their mentality due to their stop-start beginning to the campaign.

The Pilgrims were among the early pacesetters in the National League North and were heading to Bradford Park Avenue earlier this month with designs on going top of the table.

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That game was postponed twice in the space of three days due to floodlight problems, two of seven postponements and one abandonment the club have faced in November alone.

Now, as they continue to self isolate for a second time due to another positive Covid-19 test, they have played six games fewer than some of their rivals.

As the club prepare to play catch up with a hectic December and January schedule, manager Craig Elliott believes the onus is now on taking each game at a time and not worrying about what teams at the top of the table are doing.

"I don't want to be that team that's six, seven, eight games behind as it becomes very difficult as the season goes on," Elliott said, happy to have fixtures re-arranged.

"Mentally, I think things have changed for us, I really do.

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"When we were going to play Bradford on the Monday night we planned that week to get to the top of the league.

"Quickly, things changed. All of a sudden we could be 16 points behind (if leaders Gloucester City win at Gateshead tomorrow) by the time we play again. It's incredible, the swing.

"I just think it's a matter of not looking at the league table, concentrating on games and having a look back in a couple of months' time."

United are currently scheduled to play 12 league games between Saturday and the end of January, as well as the possibility of up to three FA Trophy ties. That comes after 28 days without a completed match for the club.

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But desperate to play catch up, Elliott has welcomed the new-look fixture list and the ability to begin preparing for matches once more.

He added: "Obviously it's been difficult, for Craig (Singleton, club secretary) especially, trying to fit things in and sort stuff out.

"But we can plan ahead now and start thinking about playing games again.

"We were pushing to play anybody. I keep saying we're happy just to play games now, you can't be too choosy.

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"Whether you're home or away, midweek or wherever, we just need to get games in. Hopefully, we can get a run of matches now."

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