POOLE Town boss Matt Tubbs is calling on his charges to prove they are a “powerhouse” in the Southern Premier League South, starting with the visit of league leaders Salisbury to Tatnam Farm tomorrow evening.
Since being appointed as the successor to legendary manager Tom Killick in September, Tubbs’ time at Dolphins has been marred by inconsistency, both in terms of results and gametime.
Despite pre-season ambitions of a promotion battle, Poole find themselves two points adrift of the final play-off spot of fifth, having played once more than current occupiers AFC Totton.
November was awash with postponements at home, before December started with the abandonment of a clash with Winchester City after 50 minutes due to the floodlights at Tatnam cutting out.
Dolphins hope to complete a full 90 minutes at home for the first time since October when they welcome high-flying Salisbury.
The Whites fell to a first league defeat since September at the weekend, losing away at Merthyr 2-1.
Dolphins had made the same trip the previous Tuesday, winning 2-0 in south Wales.
Previewing the Salisbury clash, Tubbs told the Daily Echo: “They’re a good team. Last season they were not too dissimilar to us (now).
“They had the transitional period when (Steve) Claridge left and Brian Dutton took over. They ended up finishing 15th.
“He's recruited really well, he's got them playing his kind of style, which is good, easy on the eye. “They're top of the league and they are a good team.
“Ultimately, it's what I said to the lads in the dressing room - we're a powerhouse in this league, and we really need to start imposing that on teams.
“We shouldn't really be afraid of anyone. And like I said, if we can go and put in a performance like we know we can, then we're a match, if not better than anyone in this league.”
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