Ahead of tonight’s Midland Football League encounter with Whitchurch Alport, Chris Herbert gave a review of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with early high-flyers, AFC Wolverhampton City.
“I know the result wasn’t what we expect, but we have had a very inconsistent spell, withs lads away, lads injured and lads suspended.”
“But we were much better and we need to carry that on tonight against Whitchurch who come to us in good form after a 4-0 win at the weekend.”
The visitors grabbed their equaliser in the 90+1st minute on Saturday and it adds to a recurring pattern of six other stoppage time goals conceded already this season.
“We just have to keep the concentration levels and not switch off. Their right back won’t hit a shot like that again in the next 20 games, it was a perfect finish in to the far corner, I don’t think Jack had a save to make until then.”
“Rob Hopley has been outstanding at the back for us, he wins everything and reads the game great. He has been big for us.”
“But we need to be more ruthless at the other end of the pitch. We are keeping teams in games by us not being more ruthless, we are a good side and we will only get better. We just need to keep plugging away and keep the same energy levels as Saturday.”
Whitchurch come into the game in 9th place; one place and one point behind ’74. It’s still early days in the league season, so these positions could me absolutely nothing going into the match tonight.
“Whitchurch come in on good form, they won 4-0 on Saturday and they have been bringing new lads in. But it’s all about us, if we perform like we did in the first half Saturday and take our chances we will be just fine.”
The Green’s injury list rose to seven at half-time on Saturday, when Henry Briscoe had to make the trip to hospital with a dislocated shoulder. An unfortunate record, so far this season, so Chris provided an update.
“Henry Briscoe has popped his shoulder so he will be a few weeks off, it is what it is, the lads coming in have to perform now.”
“Injuries happen, it’s part of the game. We have to cope with it.”
Mike Hayes found the back of the net again on Saturday, increasing his goal tally to three this season.
“Like all strikers, they just want to keep scoring goals, he had a few games without scoring and it can become a bit of a panic, but Hayzie is a goal scorer, it was always going to come. Hopefully that will be the start of many more.”
Haydn Cooper made his debut on Saturday and after Mark Jones had to drop into the centre of defence, Haydn made a big improvement in the midfield, compared to the identical scenario the week before.
“Haydn is a top player at these standards and does what it says on the tin, no nonsense, but has quality on the ball.”
“He hit the post Saturday and was very unlucky not to score.”