The latest management update comes four games into the new season as Adam and Ross discuss the start to the campaign, injuries and the chance to ask then anything…
The opening four games have been exciting, competitive and full of learnings. There is no hiding from the fact that there has been frustration so far at our inability to consistently produce complete 90 minute performances. Equally though, there have been long spells in every game that have demonstrated the quality of our unit and the direction we’re moving in together.
Against Newark, we were far too slow out of the blocks before largely dominating the second half without converting possession and pressure into goals.
Against Leicester Nirvana, we felt we controlled the game for 75 minutes and could have put it to bed much earlier.
Against Skegness, again, we started awfully slowly but grew into the game and felt we deserved more than a draw, and the support on that day shared with the fans was outstanding, so thank you.
Against Whitchurch, we created enough opportunities to win comfortably, registering a high number of shots on target in the first half alone, alongside numerous chances after the break. Our frustration is that even with long spells of possession, playing some excellent football and creating enough chances, we were unable to sustain that level for the full 90 minutes. That is something we have to address and we will. We have been honest in reflection, held ourselves accountable, and we will show a genuine determination to improve. It’s not lost on us that we have stopped doing what makes us good for no real reason across a full game, that will change.
These conversations are important because the first people we look at are ourselves. There are things we can adapt and demand more consistently from each other.
We have frustration within the dressing room and we hear it amongst our supporters, which we understand. We share those feelings, because we know we can turn strong periods of football into stronger outcomes. It is also worth recognising that in previous seasons, some of these games slipped away from us completely.
We won’t shy away from deserved criticism. We have been honest in reflection, held ourselves accountable, and we will show the determination required to turn those lessons into progress.
Promotion is not won in the early stages of a season, but the quality you need to be promoted is learned quickly. Results are close in all games in this league if the first few for everyone are anything to go by. There is everything to play for, and we firmly believe that if we find consistency across 90 minutes, we are in a position to stamp our authority on this league.
Before Saturday’s game, we’ll hold an open ‘Ask Me Anything’ at the Cricket Club at 12.30pm. Please come along if you can, ask any questions, and hear more about the progress of the football club, both on and off the pitch. At this level of football, strong clubs are built on strong relationships with supporters. Open, honest, two-way conversations matter to us. We want you to feel informed, connected, and able to ask questions directly. We want every supporter to feel welcome, whether you’ve attended one of these events before or not. If you have questions, concerns, or criticisms, this is your opportunity to put them to us directly. We may not have every answer, but we will answer every question openly and honestly. Your voice is an important part of this football club.
We’d also like to provide an update on the squad. Ky Green is expected to return to a full 90 minutes in the coming weeks. Ky is a leader and a vocal presence in the dressing room, and his experience and leadership on the pitch will be important to us.
Max Jemson is expected to be out for a couple of weeks as he recovers from the injury sustained against Skegness, but Gabe Webster returns to the squad following his holiday and will be available.
Matty Brown unfortunately suffered a recurrence of his shoulder injury against Whitchurch. Having experienced the issue multiple times before, he was able to relocate his shoulder himself. We will continue to monitor his recovery and assess his availability.
Fin Barker was withdrawn at half time after becoming very unwell – he was sent home immediately and has since recovered. Charlie Williams was also unfortunately unable to play the part he had hoped against Whitchurch due to illness. He is now recovering and will return fully fit.
Finally, as always, we want to thank every single one of our supporters. Your backing, home and away, has been incredible already with no surprise. Seeing so many of you follow this club in such large and vocal numbers is something we are immensely proud of. If anything, these opening weeks have only strengthened our determination to reward that with our own consistency. We have an unwavering belief in this group of players, the culture we’re building, and what this football club is capable of achieving again. We are more determined than ever to repay your support and the success that we all expect. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the Ask Me Anything session and behind the team on Saturday once again.
Adam and Ross
