IMPROVING Guiseley are facing back-to-back matches against Vanarama Conference North’s bottom club Hyde in the space of five days.
The Lions are fifth with 55 points, while Hyde are 22nd with only 17 points but Guiseley manager Mark Bower has warned that if any of his team show complacency, they will find themselves sitting in the dugout with him.
Guiseley visit Hyde on Saturday and host them next Wednesday, and the former Bantams centre half watched them beat Solihull Moors last Monday and knows how good they can be.
Bower said: “Hyde are unbeaten in three games and they completely dominated against Solihull. It doesn’t matter if they are winning 2-0 or losing 4-0, they will get the ball out and play from the back.
“I have seen them two or three times this season and their goalkeeper rarely kicks the ball as he usually rolls it to their centre backs.
“They don’t compromise because the pitch is heavy or if they are in a relegation battle, and every team I have seen come up against them has less possession.
“They are like Crewe or Swansea. Hyde look to dominate possession and take chances.”
Bower added: “If anybody thinks it is going to be easy there, you just have to look at the teams that have not come away with wins.
“Barrow did not win there, Fylde didn’t win there, Tamworth didn’t win there, Chorley didn’t win there, Solihull have just been beaten there and Ferriby were also beaten.
“It is certainly not going to be a ‘gimme’ three points, and if any of our players think it is they will be sitting with me on Saturday afternoon.”
AFC Fylde drew at Hyde 1-1 on February 21, Barrow likewise on January 4, FA Trophy finalists North Ferriby lost there on December 6, and Chorley got a point on October 6, as did Tamworth on August 30.
Hyde have got 14 of their 17 points at home and only drawn three matches away and, while they have scored 43 goals overall, which is better than 11th-placed Worcester City.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here