TALKING POINTS

Chris Wade – @tufcchris

Chris discusses the key points

Belief, Conviction and Confidence

One of the key takeaways from this troubling week has been how the confidence and conviction has drained away from the players. The fast flowing, sharp passing from before Christmas has been replaced by slow build up, reliance on set pieces and players looking scared to take a risk going forward. Tuesday saw a lot of sideways and backwards passing, so we need to get on the front foot on Saturday. The forward players are as good as they have been all season. They just need to show the same conviction. But you can’t inject confidence. It has to come from winning, something we desperately need right now.

Centre Forward Problems

Cody Cooke was a largely ever-present part of a team that went so close to the title last season. His absence due to injury for large parts of this season and subsequent fitness issues have been a real issue. Louis Dennis I don’t believe to be a natural number 9, but he has a good return, especially around the festive period. But with Cooke now injured again, Dennis is back up there. We may see Kieron Wilson return in the 11 role to try and free Dennis up again away from home.

The Missing Defenders

The absence of Sam Dreyer and Jordan Dyer has left a massive hole in our team. They had both been virtually ever present up too Jordan’s injury, but with both now injured, clean sheets have become a rare commodity. 14 goals conceded in 4 games won’t win us anything, so tightening up is key. Will Tizzard has looked good on the ball, and Ed Palmer is defensively solid. But moving out from the back has become a major part of the modern-day centre back, something that has changed for us in recent weeks. A clean sheet would be a good start towards a win.

The Opposition

Ebbsfleet United optimise the random nature of this league. A slow start gave way to a stonking run that has lifted them into the promotion race. Although that run to get involved has slowed a little in recent weeks. We need to show more resilience and determination to defend our box and get out quickly away from home, and Saturday will be a challenge. But the games are coming thick and fast. There are 9 more points available this week, and we simply have to sort ourselves out, tune in and get some points to keep our play-off hopes on track. See you there!