ILKESTON manager Kevin Wilson hopes to add an as yet unnamed striker in time for tomorrow's trip to Halesowen Town in the Evo-Stik Premier Division.
The canny former Derby County and Chelsea striker is seeking a little experience to help out his promotion-chasing youngsters, who are on a 15-game unbeaten run.
Wilson is in a good position to advise his players about the pressures of keeping up such a run.
"I got relegated with Chelsea in my first season and we started the next one with 13 points from 13 games – then went on a 28-game unbeaten run," he said.
"I certainly recall that time and it's really just a matter of making sure you keep doing the same things every game.
"You never really know what will happen, except that the run will end some time.
"But there's no problem with the mind-set of this team. They're a tight group and they keep on surprising me, week in, week out."
Ilkeston have maintained their push despite seeing a succession of players picked up by Football League clubs: former Robin Kieran Wallace provided another highlight on Wednesday night by coming off the bench for Sheffield United in their Capital One Cup semi-final against Spurs
"All the cream from the top has been milked," said Wilson.
"That's s ix or seven of them since we started the season – but the way the lads have reacted each time one of them leaves has been brilliant.
"They're just pleased to see the others do well and they know, if they do well, they could be next."
Ilkeston sit second, 10 points behind Skelmersdale United with seven games in hand. Managers usually say they would prefer the points to the games but Wilson differs.
"People ask me if I'd rather have the points and my answer is that, as long as we're on a run like this, I'll take the games," he said.
"We set out on this plan five years ago and we've probably exceeded expectations so far.
"That's a great credit to the players and the coaching staff but we all know there's still a lot to do."
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