WISBECH Town will be hoping to bounce back to form this weekend after Fenmen boss Steve Appleby condemned his inconsistent side’s “naive” defeat to Wroxham on Saturday.

The Fenmen entertain mid-table Clacton at the Tom Wood’s Beer Fenland Stadium as they continue their push for a top six finish.

Appleby attacked last weekend’s performance, which saw the Fenmen beaten 3-1 by a side they will face again in two weeks time in the FA Vase second round.

But Assistant Manager Chris Dear said it was a “slip up” that would not harm the confidence of the players.

“The mood in the dressing room is still buoyant,” he said. “We have people there who have experience of winning leagues and having good cup runs.

“We have to be realistic in that it’s a very new squad - sometimes it takes a period of time for a squad to settle in and play consistent football.

“We have picked up too many draws so far this season. What we need to do is convert home games against bottom half sides from one point to three.”

Wisbech conceded two goals from set pieces in Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Trafford Park, with Simon Flanz’s penalty the only highlight for the Fenmen.

The side had been missing key midfielders Luke Kennedy and Matt Lunn and captain Paul Cousins was only fit to play in the second half.

But Dear said the inspirational skipper could be set to return to the starting line-up on Saturday.

“He came through 45 minutes of football very well last weekend,” he said. “We are hoping to have him because he does bring us that presence in the back four - knowing Paul he will play.”