TALKING POINTS
Ben Wade
Ben discusses the NLS game
PLAYING THE DUANE GAME
After a series of ineffective late sub appearances and missing costly goalscoring chances, the last two away fixtures Downes has started DOA up front. Neither have been his best ever performance, a part to play in a dreadful loss at Welling and then a forced substitution in the 15th minute versus Truro after a few challenges already on a yellow card plus a final warning. With no sign of Jarvis returning, it might not be worth playing the risk of “The Duane Game”. His hold up play might be useful at times and he may score but he may not touch the ball that much either. I would personally let him make an impact from the bench and play Archer on the wing allowing him to solidify the midfield also. Downes will have to find the delicate balance during the three remaining matches.
DEFENSIVE PICK AND MIX
Proven in the last couple of games, with our defence, you really don’t know what you’re going to get. One day, an abysmal defensive display, two days later, a solid all round performance and a win. The trouble we have got ourselves into is that there are too many players who you don’t think are going to do alright. Ross Marshall looks fine but his behaviour is unacceptable, Austin Booth had a few good games to start and has gone downhill and lastly Ollie Tomlinson was decent till Christmas and then has been ropey. Therein lies the problem, there are only three other trustworthy defenders: Moxey, Hall and Jude-Boyd and playing a back four you have to play Booth, Marshall or Tomlinson and feel insecure. We need to work out a solution that works or there may be trouble.
DONT LET THEM PLAY
Against a good opponent in Bath, rather than holding off and letting them pass around and play their football, it may be more effective pressing all over them. Crunching tackles and an organised structure make the opposition rethink their game plan and come up with adjustments. We haven’t done anything like that this year and that is partly why teams pour through our core and get early opportunities. Being stubborn can’t be stubborn if we clog out the midfield with the likes of McGavin, Lapslie and Dawson who are all capable of staying deeper and then being available on the attack. For this to be played well, everyone has to have the same train of thought and focus to getting stuck in and ploughing through Bath.
WIN THIS AND RELEVIE THE PRESSURE
Three games, nine possible points, already five points above relegation does sound better than ever with most teams having played a mixture of 43 and 44 matches. At Bath, we could practically take ourselves away from relegation this season. Hopefully the players don’t overthink it, perform their best with their best possible energy and give their all. Taking into account that, after Bath, TUFC have two other teams trying to avoid the deathly drop. Taunton who were structurally good but we played badly at home to them and Havant and Waterlooville the season finale who are surely already down. Excluding all of that, a triumph over Bath would relieve pressure and most importantly put us higher up the table.
OPPOSITION
Bath City are currently sixth place in the NLS table. In the fight for a play-off spot with fellow hopefuls Farnborough and Hampton & Richmond in pursuit of them it will be crucial were they to come out on top. This home game is followed up with a trip to ninth place Aveley. The Romans have got 70 points racked up this NLS season and are wanting to hold their ground in their play-off spot and push for promotion via the ruthless play-off system where anything is possible from late comebacks to thrilling upsets.
COYY – DOM
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