AFC Fylde star Danny Holmes believes the Coasters need to cut out the ‘silly goals’ they have been conceding this season.
Fylde are currently top of the National League North and boast the best attack in the top six tiers of English football with 40 goals in just 13 league games.
However, they have kept just two clean sheets this term and Holmes, who has impressed with some consistent displays at full-back, is keen to plug the defence.
Holmes said: “The way that we play is very expansive and sometimes we can leave ourselves open at the back. I think some of the goals that we’ve conceded have been sloppy, on set pieces especially. We need to be better at that.
“If you look at the games, some of the goals have been a bit silly so we need to cut them out and I think the team is good enough to do that.
“We can’t just rely on scoring goals, we have to do both jobs. I’m playing in a team that allows me to get forward and I think that I’ve put some decent crosses into the box.
“We are still a new team and it’s still quite early in the season. I think we’ve adapted quite well together but we’ve conceded too many avoidable goals. If we cut that out then we’ll be a lot stronger and that bodes well for the future.
“We do analyse goals but you can’t look too much into it. We’ve been winning games and I think that’s from being a really expansive and attacking team. It’s a double edged sword.
“If you look at it in a negative light then we do leave ourselves wide open but that’s no excuse. We need to concede less goals.
“On the other hand, we are scoring a lot at the other end. It’s obviously great to be in a team that has goals all over the pitch. The goals have mainly come from Rowey (Danny Rowe) but there are others chipping in too. We’re going into every game looking like we’re going to win it so it’s a really good feeling.
“We can’t focus solely on defending, we need to carry on doing what we’re doing. It’s got us to where we are which is top of the league so no one can complain.”
The Coasters moved four points clear at the top of the table following a 3-3 draw at Kidderminster Harriers at the weekend and Holmes is desperate to cement their position as leaders.
“Going into last Saturday’s game, away from home, you’d most likely have taken a point. Obviously, when you’re in the lead and you’ve got five minutes to go and you don’t hold on, it is a bit gutting.
“Other results went our way as well so it wasn’t too bad a result and we can move on to the next game now.
“Now we are up there, we’re there to be shot at. I think this is where everyone would want to be, but we just need to concentrate solely on ourselves.
“I’m really enjoyed it here. I’ve come from the Football League and I was quite surprised at how good the standard was. Fitting in was brilliant, everyone was great for me.
“There’s a great bond between everyone which is really good. You go into games knowing there are people there who will back you up. I’m loving life at Fylde and long may it continue.”