Battle of early basement dwellers (From Worcester News)

Battle of early basement dwellers

10:00am Friday 3rd September 2010 in

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THE season may only be six games old but already the league table does not make comfortable viewing for Kidderminster Harriers.

Following just one win in August, the Aggborough outfit find themselves second-from-bottom in the Blue Square Bet Premier with five points.

Although it is too early for manager Steve Burr to consider pushing the panic button, the situation adds extra significance to tomorrow’s trip to basement boys Altrincham (3pm).

Both teams are desperate for a win — Alty are yet to find one — and to avoid losing ground on the sides above them. Burr, however, has been buoyed by some of Harriers’ recent performances, not least the spirit shown in battling back to earn a 2-2 draw with Tamworth on Monday.

He said: “It concerns me when we are at the foot of the table and we are still not firing as I expect, but we are working hard to put that right.

“We have had some encouraging performances which is the frustrating part.

“We also are not getting the rub of the green but it’s all about results.

“Altrincham haven’t had the best of starts either so, like ourselves, they are looking to kick on and put some points on the board.”

Harriers’ cause has not been helped by continual disruptions to their defence which again looks set to be missing Tom Sharpe.

He suffered a head injury in last Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Newport County and is not expected to have recovered in time.

Fellow centre-half Mark Albrighton serves a one-match ban following two yellow cards against Tamworth.

However, Burr can hand a debut to former Forest Green defender Ollie Thorne, who completed a transfer deadline day move from rivals Newport.

He could also stick with Chris McPhee after the versatile player, who started the season up-front, filled in for Sharpe in south Wales and continued in the role against the Lambs.

But Harriers could be without on-loan Leicester City midfielder Aman Verma with a broken bone in his hand suffered against Newport.

Burr added: “Anyone can see all the players are committed but, at the moment, things aren’t coming together how I want them, whether it’s the personnel or formation.

“I just want us to get playing the way I want my teams to.”