Yates warning to Harriers players
Kidderminster boss Mark Yates is warning his players not to cross the line after two squared up to each other this week.
Kidderminster boss Mark Yates is warning his players not to cross the line after two squared up to each other this week.
Boxing Day almost meant literally that as Gavin Hurren and Michael Blackwood angrily confronted each other in the 2-2 draw at Forest Green.
The flashpoint came after Stuart Fleetwood hit the post for Rovers in an incident which saw both players booked.
"I can accept players will be passionate but there is a fine line," said Yates.
"Had we been punished with red cards rather than yellow, then perhaps my feelings would be different.
"All I can say is that the two players shook hands afterwards."
Yates – capable of being a fiery midfielder himself during his playing days – believes there is a positive angle to come out of the confrontation.
The Harriers boss believes it shows his players care passionately about their work.
"I just think we've got a good team spirit and work ethic about us," he insisted.
"But these games are often lively out there and there will be battles which can be good for us.
"We want to try to impose ourselves, whether it's against the top or bottom of the league, home or away."
Yates was as concerned about dropping points as much as he was the flashpoint between his two players.
"The positives to come out of the game is we extended our unbeaten run to four games," he said. "I set the lads a target of nine points from our Christmas fixtures and we dropped two of those at Forest Green."
Harriers get an early chance to put things right against the Gloucestershire side on Tuesday, when Rovers are the visitors to Aggborough.
Despite losing a lead twice against Forest Green, Yates insists Harriers will continue to push forward and try to play attractive football.
And after three wins and a draw before today's trip to Oxford, the Aggborough chief is happy with his philosophy.
"There's no point in us sitting back – like I've said before, we try to play attacking, forward-thinking football," he said.
"It doesn't always work like that and other teams have their ideas, but that's the way I believe in playing."
