Boss retains confidence in squad

Kevin Wilson may have to cope without some of Ilkeston FC's senior performers once more as he looks to get our away campaign up and running at Frickley Athletic tomorrow night.

So far we have yet to get off the mark in league fixtures away from the New Manor Ground, losing at Rushall, Nantwich and Chorley, all by the odd goal, although there has been an FA Cup victory at Coalville.

And while Russell Cooke (thigh) and Greg Pearson (knee) are unlikely to play - Gary Ricketts (ankle) and Chris Jones (illness) are doubts - Wilson is optimistic our fortunes will soon change.

“People have talked about us having some bad luck in the 3-2 defeat to Witton and about the players we have been missing, but that is all part and parcel of football,” said Wilson.

“When things don’t go right you ask yourself ‘are we good enough and should I change it around,’ but I think the answer is ‘no’.

“I still believe this is the right bunch of players to do the job and hopefully then can start putting in some decent performances, particularly away from home.

“We have always tried to express ourselves, but at the same time we need to make sure we cut out the individual errors that are costing us.

“We also have to keep our shape and keep the ball better and if we do, then we have every chance of putting points on the board.”

Frickley have had a tough start to their new season, having secured just one point from seven games so far.

But Wilson is clear that the Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division table has still to take its true shape.

He said: “I think everyone will see better where they stand after 11 games and no-one should take anything for granted just because they haven’t won a league game yet.

“No matter what the opposition do, the main thing from our point of view is that we must up our own performance.

“It’s an important week for the club, with this game at Frickley followed by the FA Youth Cup match against Hinckley on Wednesday and then the Belper FA Cup tie on Saturday.”

Wilson is unlikely to bring in a new face this week, but admits he is on the look-out for new players to feature once the FA Cup tie against the Nailers at the weekend has been contested.

“I have put seven days in on a couple of players, but because of the issue of getting cup tied, it won’t be straight away,” he said.

“But I have to balance it out somewhere, so there may be movement in the other direction either in terms of loans or moving players on.”