TT BLOG

Clive Hayward – @Byehorse

Clive blogs about Jimmy Ball’s presser

“EVERYTHING PUT UNDER ENOUGH PRESSURE BREAKS”

Jimmy Ball bounced into his third presser yesterday afternoon full of the joys of Spring. He looked forward to the important Easter fixtures with the focused determination we are getting used to seeing from our new boss.

New Signings:

He spoke with enthusiasm about Bournemouth loanee Charlie Osborne. “He is a combative midfielder but with technical ability as well: he’s got both sides of the coin.” He is expected to be available for the Bath game following a minor calf injury.

Striker Reece Evans came off the bench against Horsham. He was borrowed via James Beattie- Jimmy’s old Director of Football at Totton. Ball said that: “He will definitely stretch people: he’s seriously quick.”

Injuries & Availability:

There was good news and bad news. As we know, nearly everyone is now fit: a rapid transformation from the severely depleted squad that limped to defeat at Dagenham a fortnight ago.

The only two exceptions are now Nash Sundire and Cody Cooke.

Nash is progressing well and our battling midfielder could possibly feature at Slough next Saturday.

Cody’s season is over. Last season’s talisman needs an operation on his damaged shoulder, and Ball said recovery from this will take time because running remains very painful in the following weeks. Cody is the ultimate good egg. I hope you enjoy your Easter ones, big man.

Weston and Bath:

On today’s opponents: “They’re a well-oiled machine. They do what they do very well.”

He feels that Weston having played an extra game on Tuesday (a goalless draw with Hemel) means we should be able to make them suffer today.

Looking ahead to Monday, although relegation looms for the Romans, Ball pointed out that we had failed to overcome their defensive formations at Christmas: “They get in. They help each other. They’re very hard to beat”.

In what is becoming a regular theme, the Manager emphasised that he likes to do his homework. “It’s about understanding your opposition. Understanding what they want to do and making them do what they dont want to do.”

He said that his tactic is to be on the front foot and keep teams under pressure: “Everything put under enough pressure breaks.”

Youth:

Ball enjoyed his training session with the under 16s this week. “It wasn’t for show.” He is committed to developing our youngsters with a view to getting some into the first team.

Darren Way:

Although he doesn’t know our new Assistant Coach well, Ball respected him as an opponent and as soon as he learned of his sacking at Bath, he moved to recruit him. He had been impressed with what Way had managed to achieve at Twerton with limited resources.

Defending from the front:

This is key. He paid tribute to Jordan Young’s workrate on Saturday. The talented winger had made several sliding tackles, which the Manager had appreciated. Ball shrugged off Young’s broken nose. He said it’s fine, there is no obstruction to his breathing, no displacement, and: “He doesn’t head the ball much anyway!”

You certainly get the feeling that Young and his fellow forward players are being encouraged to press hard. Ball is big on keeping opponents under pressure, on the basis that this will produce errors that we should be more than able to capitalise on.

We cannot disguise the fact that this afternoon’s trip to Somerset is a big, big game. The manager seems in no mood to accept excuses. He has picked the team, disappointed some players and expects the chosen ones to fight hard to keep the shirt.

Up the Gulls