TT PREVIEW

Joel discusses his team

SEASON SO FAR

Following the most heartbreaking of final day relegations yet fully deserved, the new season promised a clean slate rebuild on and off the pitch. The rhetoric voiced by the new manager Bradbury and all of his signings was about promotion, the bare minimum, then, to at least make the top seven. Despite a number of eye-catching signings, reality is that we’ve never surpassed mid-table mediocrity. Things improved since heading into the reverse fixture in the bottom four but nowhere near enough. All the while, uncertainty over ownership dragged on. Now that has been resolved with the announcement of a takeover by the Happy Fan Group, notably including Youtuber KSI, it was only a matter of time before they dispensed with Bradbury and indeed that has just happened prior to this fixture.

KSI

Probably a bit more cautiously tempered than the excitement of others, partially because of being stung in the past and also fearful of the undesirable sideshow it may bring at times, but of course wonderful news for a club that now seems to have an upwards future when otherwise going nowhere fast. His presence at the last home game against Dorking really brought the place back to life as we won 1-0. He’s certainly enthusiastic so let’s hope something good is coming.

RECENT FORM

After a brilliant run inspired by the availability of Andy Carroll, until his injury at the start of December, form has been patchy and inconsistent since. Case in point, we followed up that recent victory over Dorking with defeat at Maidstone before a dire stalemate at Enfield Town. We did get back to winning ways in midweek away to Farnborough, but that kind of sequence is exactly how we’ve been. Mid table is as mid table does. Somewhat on the quiet, though, we have won five out of the last six home games.

KEY PLAYERS

Joe Haigh is basically our entire creative hub, capable of effirtlessly driving through countless bodies while also leading the goal and assist charts. Unfortunately he’s been fragile recently, forced off again in midweek. When fit, Andy Carroll is several cuts above this level, but he hasn’t been for months. The defence is okay especially with Paul Kalambayi back from loan, plus Sam Howes has gotten increasingly better between the sticks.

ANDY CARROLL

Well he is definitely not playing, but he will have an involvement having just been named interim manager! Carroll will likely take the reigns while we find the right man, however long that takes. Though this season is almost certainly beyond salvation, there’s the time to assess the squad and lay down foundations, instead of rushing during the summer again.

BEST OPPOSITION

When you asked me this in October I said Worthing, Weston and Ebbsfleet. On top of that I’d only really add Horsham who passed us off our pitch. Dorking are also tidy in possession but we didn’t catch them at their best (and were good ourselves) taking four points without conceding. Few others have really impressed me; I don’t think it’s an overly impressive league. That’s why you can’t be satisfied being fifth and we certainly aren’t being twelfth.

PRE-MATCH

There’s a pub opposite the station where a fair few home fans now go and away are welcome, as well as the clubhouse which has several different bar areas and was done up a few years ago. Otherwise it’s slim pickings.

STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES

The defence has been good at times with a fair few clean sheets, but as Bradbury’s focus and priority, so it should be! The centre of midfield beneath Haigh is the biggest weakness – it lacks tempo, pace, impetus and control.