Phelan believes he is a building a "special" team

The coastal side are fifth in Thurlow Nunn League division one south and unbeaten in six games, following last week's 1-1 draw at home to Benfleet.

With the top four going up, it promises to be an exciting finale to the season and Holland have another big game at Barkingside - two places and one point below - on Saturday.

Phelan has faith in his players and wants them to fulfil their potential during the run-in.

"I want to take the club out of this league," he said defiantly.

"We've got players capable of playing at a higher level and I hope we achieve promotion this season.

"We've got the potential to become a really special team.

"We've got so much ability and sometimes I feel proud watching the boys in training, let alone in a match.

"But now it's time to prove it, by cutting out silly mistakes, winning more games and making sure we finish in the top four.

"It may sound arrogant but I go into every match expecting to win.

"I know we're going to create chances and if we apply ourselves in the right way, doing the things we're good at, our quality will shine through.

"At the moment, it's more about keeping things tidy at the back.

"We're still conceding too many goals and can't afford to keep letting that happen.

"We're hard to beat but, equally, we've dropped four points from the two games against Coggeshall and Benfleet."

Both of those matches finished 1-1.

Holland took the lead in Saturday's match against the latter, through Adie Cant.

However, the visitors managed to nick an equaliser to escape with a point.

"Someone told me afterwards that we'd had 21 shots," added Phelan.

"We had so many chances but it was just one of those days.

"To draw the game was disappointing and frustrating but I'd be far more upset if we weren't creating opportunities.

"On another day, we'd turn them into goals.

"That's just the way it goes but there's no denying Benfleet got out of jail. We completely outplayed them and only drew 1-1."

Barkingside are a point behind Holland, having also played a game less, and so could leapfrog the Tendring side by winning on Saturday.

However, Phelan is adamant that won't happen - and expects his side to put more daylight between themselves and a promotion rival.

"They beat us 4-2 in the first game and that was after we missed a penalty at 2-2," he said.

"Crucial moments cost us but we've got a better squad now and, for me, the three points are there for the taking.

"We've got more ability and I back us to win every match."

Meanwhile, Lucan Neal, assisted by Denny Saggers, has taken charge of Holland's reserves.