Harrogate Town v Colchester United: Simon Weaver hoping for something dramatic in last stand

Lose at home to Colchester United, and Harrogate's six-season stint in league football would come to an end on Saturday were Tranmere Rovers (at home to Bristol Rovers), Crawley Town (Shrewsbury Town, home) and Newport County (Cheltenham Town away) all to win.

Harrogate are four points adrift with nine points to play for, and the Football League's longest-serving manager says they have to aim to pick up all nine.

The last time Harrogate won three consecutive league games was January 2024.

"It would be pretty dramatic to finish in the right way now but we've achieved great things before," said Weaver, who has been in charge at Wetherby Road for 17 years. “We know it can have one final twist.

"There's three games, nine points to play for. We have to aim for nine to give ourselves every chance but the first step is Colchester.

"We have to acknowledge they're a good team if you let them play. However we have to now focus on ourselves."

Harrogate's hopes took a big hit last week when they lost 2-1 at relegation rivals Newport County in what Weaver felt was an uncharacteristic performance.

"We didn't turn up on the day and show what we're about," he reflected. "I've been proud of the efforts of all the squad over the last few months, we've given it a real go and battled every step of the way.

"Last Saturday we were well short of our performance level in recent months and it was a long journey home, basically sat in silence. It was a difficult day on Sunday.

"We reviewed it with the players and they watched the first 20 minutes because you have to see it sometimes. We all have to see where we've come up short in order to move on and attack games I the same vein as we did previous to Newport.

"I 100 per cent expect better. I expect passion to be in evidence.

"We were half a yard short everywhere. There was the odd exception in terms of individuals but throughout the defence, midfield and attack we lacked that real bite that got us to this level originally.

"You can talk about systems and tactics but more often than not it's mentality. That's what we've brought to the table for years. We need to get back to that."

The situation is getting desperate for the Sulphurites, three points behind Newport's final-day hosts Barrow, who are 23rd, but Weaver will be careful not to behave differently.

"I could change it slightly, not in terms of the tactical messages but there may be something slightly different as we approach kick-off," he said. "But I think if I do something totally quirky, players will think that's just pressure getting to you.

"We have to attack it in the same vein you attack any football game – with great passion and deliver a performance for your fans that they're proud of and they think every single person's on the same hymn sheet wanting the best for the club and its community.

"Everybody said the right words in the changing room on Saturday. They got in a huddle and actions speak louder than words but it didn't happen for whatever reason.

"We're hoping that's the one blip in terms of that level of application in probably the last 20. We've had defeats, admittedly, and we've sometimes been lacking a bit of quality in front of the goalposts but in terms of application we've been very proud in all but that game."

Ellis Taylor will not play again this season due to a tendon injury.