SEDGLEY Park general manager Geoff Roberts has called on his players to bring their A game to Saturday's match at second-bottom Sheffield.

The Park Lane men lost further ground in the National Two North title race last weekend after their game at home to Leicester Lions was called off due to a frozen pitch.

Top two Hinkley and Sale both won to extend their advantage over the fourth-placed Tigers, whose recent good run was ended with a defeat at Huddersfield in their last match.

They face a tough fixture list over the turn of the year, with a run of four consecutive games against teams in the top six.

Roberts believes he will have no concerns about his players' mental attitude going into those matches, but admits he does worry about their focus ahead of games against the lesser sides, like Sheffield.

"Traditionally, we struggle to get going again after the Christmas break and have dropped quite a few points unexpectedly in January in the past," he said.

"But with the way the fixtures have panned out this season I am not too worried about that.

"I think the players will be fully focused for those games as they will be aware that our whole campaign will hinge on them.

"For example, we play at Sale next weekend – the last game before the festive break – and the lads will need no pep talk before that one, they will be ready.

"But I am not too sure if you could say that for the Sheffield game.

"It is only human nature, I guess, that some people switch off a bit when they are playing what is deemed to be an easier game.

"That makes the Sheffield match more dangerous in my book.

"There is no point going to places like Sale and doing the business if we drop points at Sheffield.

"So our focus has to be on that game, those after it against the top six sides will take care of themselves."

Roberts, who plays a big part in looking after the ground at Park Lane, says he was disappointed not to get the game on on Saturday.

"The decision is made by the two captains with the referee, and I think it was eventually called off about 1.45pm," he said.

"I was quite surprised as it was not too far being a perfect pitch when we arrived in the morning.

"The centre circle was maybe a bit harder than the rest of the pitch, but that is normal as there is less grass on there.

"We could have sorted that by getting the verti-drain on there.

"There was a white film on the pitch, but underneath the surface was fine. Everywhere on the pitch could take a stud.

"I think it is all in the mind. You see a bit of snow and you assume the pitch is harder than it really is, when in fact it was no harder than it was in September."

Leicester Lions will now visit Sedgley Park on February 24.