TT INTERVIEW
Steven talks about the Romans
ABOUT ME
I’m 30 and I’ve followed Bath City for pretty much my whole life. The only years I’ve not had a season ticket are probably my 3 uni years (2011-2014) and 2014-15 when I was on a graduate scheme and ended up working in Glasgow. In that 2014-2015 season I committed to following us in the FA Trophy and we had an incredible run to the semi final. I couldn’t attend the first two games (a qualifying round game away at Gloucs, played at Cheltenham’s Whaddon Road on a Sunday and then a replay at Twerton Park), but flew or caught the train to Bristol Rovers (a), Wealdstone (a), Altrincham (h), Dover (a) and North Ferriby (both legs of the semi final). To lose on penalties in the semi final was really cruel as we had performed terrifically throughout that cup run and never played a team from below NLS/N level, knocking out 3 National League sides along the way. More importantly, though, I met some terrific people on my travels and as a result I know a lot more City fans who I still speak to regularly.
SEASON SO FAR
Positive. Even when we’ve lost, we’ve played well. I think we have to be realistic and say there are lots of teams with bigger budgets, so if you had offered any City fan 3rd place in the League at the end of Oct/start of Nov, I’m sure they would have taken that. Of course the league is tight – probably tighter than it’s ever been at this stage – but I think that will always be the case in NLS. But we have to be happy with where we are.
FORM
Mixed results, but encouraging performance levels. We’ve lost 3 Saturdays in a row. City fans are desperate for FA Cup success*, so naturally there was some disappointment when we drew Worthing away in the 4th Qualifying Round. That was always going to be tough. We lost 2-0 there and then 2-0 at home to them in the league on 28/10. They’re the only team to stop us scoring all season, although in all honesty we deserved at least a point out of the league fixture. Our 3-0 home win Vs Taunton on 24/10 was a great fixture (they have 7 ex City players in their squad) in which we were superb and scored some stunning goals. *We are apparently in our longest spell without a 1st Round appearance in our history: 14 years if we make it next year.
HIGHLIGHTS
Our third goal against Taunton was outrageous. Corner of the box, first time strike, hit across the GK into the far top corner with the outside of the boot. The movement on it was unlike anything I’ve seen for years. It swerved well outside the frame of the goal and tucked inside the post at the last second. What a strike. And that was from our left back, Danny Greenslade! Results-wise, beating Weymouth away in the Cup was satisfying as our record there isn’t great and we hadn’t previously beaten a Bobby Wilkinson side. I went to Wealdstone when he was their gaffer and we were 2-0 up with 10 mins to go, drawing 3-3. They then beat us in the play offs at Twerton that year, which was frustrating! But a great Cup win at Weymouth put a lot of smiles on a lot of faces.
KEY PLAYERS
Ewan Clark and Jordan Thomas on the wings are very tricky and seem to be able to come out with the ball a lot. Their ability to pick up the ball and get us up the pitch is fantastic; especially Ewan, even with his back to goal. In 1v1 situations I back them to at least get something (i.e. free kick, corner, throw etc) and they’re the type of player we have been itching to get hold of for a long time. Dan Hayfield in midfield is probably an under-rated player. He’s quick, strong, can finish and he works incredibly hard. I’m a big fan of his. And of course Scott Wilson’s goal scoring record for the season speaks for itself. His physicality is crucial at times and he’s even on 27 goals for the calendar year.
THE MANAGER
Jerry Gill (ex Bath, Yeovil, Birmingham, Northampton and Cheltenham player) has been our manager since 2017. We have played with a back 4 and also with wing backs this season. I think we have proved we can mix our style this season and our formations can be fluid. We can play some good football and also go long, both of which have worked.
POSSIBLE LINE-UP
GK – Will Buse
LB – Danny Greenslade
CB – Kieran Parselle
CB – Jack Batten (or Jordan Dyer)
RB – Joe Raynes
LM – Ewan Clark
CM – Tom Smith
CM – Luke Russe
CM – Dan Hayfield
RM – Jordan Thomas
ST – Scott Wilson
AWAY SUPPORT
The last time we played Torquay away it was a Tuesday night in August and we took about 100. This time round I would imagine we’ll take a few more, although I hope the weather forecast doesn’t stop people travelling. I’d estimate 125-150.
STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES
Strengths would definitely be the fact we have a few more ‘winners’ in the team than in previous years. I think you can see that on the pitch and the team really clicks. We are a bit ‘harder’ than we used to be. On the weakness front, there’s a perception we don’t win ‘big’ games, of which Torquay away would definitely be one. I think our FA Cup record is a good example of us stumbling in the games where’s there’s a lot of expectation or hype.
BEST OPPOSITION
Worthing were very well organised in the second half at Twerton on 28/10. We struggled to break them down. They were the side I backed for the title at the start of the season. They have a great squad and where they seemed to score for fun last season, I thought if they tighten up at the back they will be a real force. Yeovil have really got going and will probably run away with the title, but I have to say Weston were unreal when we played them at Twerton in August. Lethal. Obviously that is a derby game and they were so, so up for it, but they had me worried they’d be challenging for the title after that game. As it stands, that doesn’t look like it will be the case (thankfully)!
PREDICTION
1-1. Bradley Ash and Scott Wilson the scorers.