Lack of home comfort is big concern for Lee
Lee Harper is looking for a big effort both on and off the pitch as Kettering Town look to rectify their atrocious recent home record tomorrow.
The Poppies welcome second-placed AFC Wimbledon to the Elgood's Arena tomorrow with some unwanted and worrying statistics hanging over their heads.
To Listen to our team of writers give their views on Corby Town, Rushden & Diamonds and Kettering Town , click the green button.
The stats came to light on the fans' forum (www.poppynet.co.uk) this week when someone posted the fact that the Poppies have won just two games at Rockingham Road in the last 11 months.
That surely couldn't be right?
A quick check of the records, however, show it is spot on. And the misery doesn't end there.
Since beating Ebbsfleet United 3-0 on September 26 last year when Mark Cooper was still in charge, Kettering have played 21 games at home in all competitions.
Just two of those ended in victories with eight draws and 11 defeats. The goals for and against columns don't look great either.
That poor form has continued into this season with just one goal coming in the defeat to Luton Town before a 0-0 draw with Darlington and last Monday's loss to local rivals Rushden & Diamonds.
The atmosphere for that derby clash would have to go down as one of the worst for a fixture that used to attract crowds of 4,000 or 5,000.
And Harper knows his team need to start giving their fans something to shout about.
When quizzed about that home form, Harper said: "It's disappointing and we want to put it right.
"We have tried different formations and I don't think we have had our fair share of luck. But I can't keep blaming that and I know it's my responsibility.
"Our supporters have seemed very quiet at home and maybe that is rightly so because I understand you need to see things on the pitch to get you going.
"But we need them behind us vocally if they can and they need a gee-up from the pitch.
"It is a concern because if you want to be at the top end of the table then you have to be beating teams at home.
"We have to keep believing and make sure we put it right quickly."
The task won't get any easier tomorrow against a Wimbledon side who have started the season impressively.
Their one setback came at Nene Park and Harper confirmed he spoke to Diamonds boss Justin Edinburgh about them following the derby defeat, which was still a sore subject for the Poppies boss.
"I have studied the video again and I was pleased with the second half display," he added.
"We really had a go at them and should have scored at least one goal, maybe two. We certainly didn't deserve what we got on Monday.
"But that happens in football and we need to set out with the same sort of tempo right from the start tomorrow.
"Of all the games we have played, I don't think we have been beaten up by any of them. We have to get that firepower going in front of goal.
"Wimbledon will be tough opponents but that's just the same as any other week.
"We have watched them and Justin gave me a bit of info on them as well and we believe we can go and beat them."
Brett Solkhon and Marcus Kelly are both pushing for starts after impressing as substitutes recently and Harper will also check on Moses Ashikodi as he continues his comeback from knee surgery.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Kettering
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 12 C to 26 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North east
