October 2022 (Page 9)

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York City have said they are “disappointed” that an investigation in to racial abuse directed at its striker Lennell John-Lewis has not been able to identify an offender.

On Thursday, Yeovil Town confirmed it had been unable to identify the person responsible for the abuse caught on camera in a fixture at Huish Park on 3rd September despite a month-long enquiry supported by Avon & Somerset Police and Kick It Out, the anti-discrimination campaign.

In a statement published by the York Press, York City said: “We are disappointed that Yeovil have not been able to identify the culprit.

“There must be somebody who would be able to identify who was involved, but have chosen not to come forward.

“Society needs to work together to stand up to racism in all its forms, allowing perpetrators of racist acts to stay anonymous is to be complicit in their wrongdoing.”

Avon & Somereset Police has said the investigation had “exhausted all reasonable lines of enquiry”, adding that it would always look in to an new information which comes forward about the incident.

In its response, Yeovil Town said: “As a football club, Yeovil Town finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour totally abhorrent and unacceptable. It is completely against the values of our club, and we believe it has no place at Huish Park or anywhere else within our communities.

“We continue to stand against all forms of racist, sexist, or homophobic discrimination and we reiterate that we will always seek to take the strongest action against anyone identified committing these acts.”

Both the club and the Police urged anyone who knows anything about the individual responsible for this disgusting act to contact them calling 101 and giving crime reference number 5222215076. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or contact them through their online form.

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Yeovil Town have been drawn at home to Taunton Town again!

This time in the Somerset FA Men’s Premier Cup as Yeovil begin the defence of their trophy.

The Peacocks are aready due to visit Huish Park in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round next weekend and no doubt we will probably draw them in the FA Trophy too.

The National League South side beat Bath-based Odd Down 7-0 in the first round of the competition, the Glovers got a bye through to the second round.

Ties will he played week commencing 7th November.

The full draw is below.

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Ollie Hulbert ? Pic Courtesy of Sam Collard – YTFC.net

Yeovil Town striker Ollie Hulbert has returned to the Glovers after his one-month stint at Gloucester City came to an end.

He made three appearances for the National League North side, scoring once on his debut against AFC Telford United last month..

During his spell, the Tigers played two FA Cup ties which the Yeovil man was not given permission to play in restricting his opportunity for more minutes.

Hulbert now returns to fight for his place at Huish Park and will be available for selection for this Saturday’s game home game against Solihull Moors.

It leaves just Toby Stephens out on loan at Truro City at the moment, with Ollie Haste recalled from his spell at the Cornish club in the week and goalkeeper Max Evans’ stint at Larkhall Athletic ended by injury.

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Yeovil Town Under-18s travel to Wimborne Town in search of their first win of the South West Counties Youth League win this weekend.

The young Glovers’ opponents have only played once this season, picking up a 2-1 win against Ringwood-based BRS Coaching Youth, who lost their other fixtures 7-1 and 11-0.

The match takes place at Blandford School in Blandford Forum at 10.30am on Saturday 8th October.

In the week, there were wins for Elite Player Development Programme (EPDP), run by Yeovil College in partnership with the club, with the first team running out 4-1 winners against Exeter College 2nd XI.

Charlie Bateson scored twice with Josh Sutton and Aiden Skiverton also on target. The EPDP 2nd XI won 5-0 at home to against Bridgwater and Taunton College’s 3rd XI.

The age group teams representing the Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust are also in action this weekend with the Under-11s and Under-12s facing their opponents from Paulton Rovers, whilst the Under-13s, Under-15s and Under-16s play Saints South West in the Junior Premier League.

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Yeovil Town manager Chris Hargreaves has called for patience from the club’s supporters as they go in search of their second win of the season against fifth-placed Solihull Moors this weekend.

Chris Hargreaves. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The Glovers’ 1-1 draw at Dorking Wanderers on Tuesday night was their seventh stalemate in the opening 12 matches of the National League season and saw them slide in to the relegation places.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins on Thursday, the boss said the team “can’t hide” from the reality of their predicament, but again pointed to the inexperience in his squad following injuries to defenders Jamie Reckord and Ben Richards-Everton.

He said: “I get it, we are not where we want to be, no-one knows that more than me because my life revolves around it 24/7 with no let up. That’s how I want it because it means a lot of me.

“We stopped the coach on the corner outside Dorking’s ground where there was a pub and I said ‘these fans have paid good money and they want to see you do well.’ The players were aware of it.

“Fans have every right to say things after a game if things haven’t gone well because they give us support when we have done well – so you can’t have it both ways.”

He added: “We focus on the fact we have been competitive in every game and if you get a run together and a couple of wins it looks very different.

“If we had been battered in every game and not have massive periods of possession or being on top in games I would be worried, but what I have seen isn’t that.

“We can’t hide from where we are but we have to have patience with the players because it’s not easy for them, certainly for some players who are fresh in to this league or haven’t been in it long.”

Hargreaves was asked by the BBC reporter about whether angry chants directed at club chairman Scott Priestnall by a section of supporters at Dorking was impacting the squad.

Yeovil Town owner and chairman Scott Priestnall in the stands at Dorking Wanderers.

The owner and the club’s only executive director was sat alongside Martyn Starnes, a former Glovers’ Chief Executive who is helping the club “on a voluntary basis“, at Meadowbank in midweek.

Following a prolonged period of chanting of “We want Priestnall out“, a group of supporters moved closer to the main stand where the owner was located and continued to chant “Where’s the money gone?” in reference to the £2.8m the club received from the sale of its Huish Park home and surrounding land to South Somerset District Council in May.

Asked about the hostility towards the owner, Hargreaves said: “I can’t affect all the things around me, all I can affect is the team.

“The team do play for the fans, it’s just we have suffered at times from a lack of experience where we have let leads go too easily. I can’t accept that and the players know that.”

Looking ahead to the weekend, the manager said that injured defenders Jamie Reckord and Ben Richards-Everton would be “touch and go” for the visit of Solihull Moors.

Jamie Reckord. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Reckord, who spent two seasons at the Midlands club, missed the 1-0 defeat at Southend United last weekend and the midweek draw with a knee infection, whilst Richards-Everton was also absent at Dorking.

The boss also said he had taken precautions with play-maker Lawson D’Ath and defender Chiori Johnson after they were both withdrawn in the second half on Tuesday where they played on an artificial surface.

Hargreaves said: “All the players put a lot of effort in and with those two and their injury history, we have to be very careful especially with Lawson to ensure he doesn’t go over that balance of how much he wants to play and how much he can play.

“Chiori came back quickly from an injury which may have kept him out longer because he is so desperate to play. Both of them will be in contention again for the weekend.”

He added that he is continuing to look to bring new faces in after in midweek that he was looking to add to his ranks ahead of the visit of Solihull.

Speaking on Tuesday, the boss said: “Conversations are still ongoing, so we will be continuing that this afternoon and tomorrow.”

The manager has come in for criticism following the poor start to the season with some calling for his dismissal just 12 matches in to his tenure at the club.

The Gloverscast understands there is no threat to Hargreaves’ position with the boss still being backed by its board of directors.

Asked by Three Valleys’ Radio’s Adi Hopper whether he had been surprised at the scale of the challenge at Huish Park since taking over in the summer, Hargreaves said: “I knew it was going to be a tough job, but I’m lucky to be in this position. It’s a privilege and I remind myself that every day.

“It’s a good challenge and we are capable of excelling it and if we hadn’t been as close as we have been, I might not have that attitude.

“The players are giving everything, but on those critical occasions in both boxes we have to be 100% concentrated and on a couple of occasions on we have not done that.”

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The Screwfix Stand at Huish Park will not be open to home supporters for the Somerset derby against Taunton Town next weekend, the club has confirmed.

Announcing ticketing arrangements, the club said that it will only be opening the Main Stand and Thatcher’s Gold Stand for the fourth qualifying round tie and would not be able to guarantee season ticket holders their nornmal seats.

The club said: “For this fixture, we will only be opening the Hellier Group Main Stand & the Thatcher’s Gold Stand. Home fans will be seated in Hellier Group Main Stand blocks B – GG and standing on Terrace.

“As the full stadium wont be open, we unfortunately wont be able to reserve season ticket spaces for this particular cup fixture. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

Slightly confusingly, the club’s ticketing portal highlights that away fans can buy a ticket in the Screwfix Stand, but instead will be seated in the Main Stand, Block AA-B.

Speaking about the tie on Thursday, Yeovil manager Chris Hargreaves said he expected there to be a large following from the Peacocks who sit mid-table in 14th place in the National League South with ten games gone.

He said: “It’s a brilliant draw for the fans. I am guessing Taunton will bring 1,200 or 1,500 fans which would be excellent. Our supporters will look forward to and its great for the area.“

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Yeovil Town has closed an investigation in to “alleged racial chanting” at the home match with York City last month – but Avon & Somerset Police has said it will investigate any fresh evidence which it receives.

In a statement on Thursday, the club said it had been working with Avon & Somerset Police, Kick It Out, the campaign against discrimination in football, and supporter groups since the incident on 3rd September.

However, it said the investigation had been unable to identify the supporter behind the abuse which was directed at York striker Lennell John-Lewis as he prepared to take a second half penalty in a game the Glovers lost 1-0.

Supporters have reported receiving calls from the club asking whether they had heard the abuse which was captured on the highlights packages of both Yeovil Town and York City suggesting efforts were being made to investigate the matter.

In a statement, the club said: “Upon reviewing CCTV footage and speaking to many supporters who sit within the Screwfix Community Stand, we have been unable to identify the supporter who is heard chanting within the highlights package.

“Due to this, Yeovil Town has closed our investigation into the matter. We would like to place on record our thanks to all the groups that assisted with our investigation.”

Both the club and the Police urged anyone who knows anything about the individual responsible for this disgusting act to contact them calling 101 and giving crime reference number 5222215076. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or contact them through their online form.

When contacted by the Gloverscast, Avon & Somerset Police added: “Although we may have exhausted all reasonable lines of enquiry we never ‘close’ an investigation because if someone comes forward with information then that will always be looked into and any further enquiries carried out.”

PC Mark Neal, the force’s football unit, added: “There can be no place for racism in our society. It is disgusting and inexcusable. We want anyone who hears or suffers from such abuse to report it.

“The York City FC player who was racially abused has been offered support and kept updated of our enquiries since this happened.

“We are grateful to both clubs and Kick It Out for helping us with our enquiries but unfortunately despite exploring all possible lines of enquiry and appealing for information, the offender hasn’t been identified.

In its staement, the club added: “As a football club, Yeovil Town finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour totally abhorrent and unacceptable. It is completely against the values of our club, and we believe it has no place at Huish Park or anywhere else within our communities.

“We continue to stand against all forms of racist, sexist, or homophobic discrimination and we reiterate that we will always seek to take the strongest action against anyone identified committing these acts.

“If you hear any form of discrimination inside or around Huish Park, we urge all supporters to report it on the day to our stewards or report anonymously on our designated matchday hotline – 07724 152 534.“

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As Yeovil Town slipped in to the National League relegation zone following Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw at Dorking Wanderers, manager Chris Hargreaves admitted he understood supporters’ frustration and indeed shared them.

Some fans took to social media to call for the manager to be given his marching orders after just 12 matches, but here supporter Jake Gallagher sets out why he believes the boss should be given more time by the Glovers fans…..

 

Well this piece got tougher and tougher to write as I drilled down into the analysis but the title remains and so does the sentiment, it’s my belief that Chris Hargreaves should be given time at Huish Park, to at least the end of October.

The Caveat

Look I get it, ten points from 12 games is not good enough. Nor is 13 points from 12 games which is where the algorithms and statistics – I’m talking about the dreaded xG [expected goals – how many goals a team should have scored based on the quality of the chances created]– suggest Yeovil Town should be based on performances. Looking at the squad, I’d suggest something closer to 16 or 17 points would be where we want to be – sat plumb in mid-table. I don’t think anyone would complain about that.

But 10 points and 21st place is a fact that is difficult to hide from.

With a new manager and fresh promise I naively bounced into the season regularly chanting about winning the f****** Conference in 2003 and hating those b******** in claret and blue. The ‘We want Priestnall out’ songs were loud and clear too, as the overarching message from us all that the owner is not welcome at Huish Park was coupled with getting behind the team.

 

Expected Goals

That bounce I mentioned has waned into a mild bob in recent weeks as good performances have resulted in fewer points than we deserve. The xG, expected goals, suggests that Yeovil should have three more points than we currently do – and that would put us 16th.

Expected goals (xG) calculates how many goals a team should have scored based on the quality of the chances created.

Now 16th is clearly not where we want to be either but it’s not in the drop zone. So where did those extra three points wriggle away from us? In two specific games actually, both in August. The first was the loss to Barnet at home which saw them go top of the league. Our 1.78 xG compared to their 0.88 was the epitome of a smash and grab away performance and rubber stamped our lack of ruthlessness which has plagued the season. Against Barnet we should’ve had at least a point.

And the second was away at Wealdstone, who were top when we played them, and we couldn’t turn our man advantage, 15 shots and xG of 1.91(!) into the solitary goal needed for the full three points rather than one.

I’m aware these are all ifs, buts and maybes and xG doesn’t win football matches, but these statistics do have weight when analysing performances.

But it’s not just those games and missed points, it’s the timing of them. If we did manage to back up the home win against Dagenham and Redbridge with a win at a Wealdstone who were top of the league when we kicked off against them on August Bank Holiday Monday that would have been a huge step in the right direction.

Confidence would’ve been high and we’d have kicked into a very winnable home game against York City. Instead we put in our worst performance of the season and these are the fine margins that have big consequences.

Yeovil were given rough fixtures at the start of the season seeing us travel to Scunthorpe, a relegated side wanting to put last season behind them in front of their own fans, followed by hosting the overwhelming favourites for the league title in Wrexham. That tough start has continued and now 12 games into the season you’ll find that Yeovil have faced eight teams currently positioned in the top half and four in the bottom half. To hammer home this point, two of those teams in the bottom half are 13th and 14th. We’ve played a higher standard of team in the league than the average, is what I’m saying. And not only have we played teams in the top half currently, but we played them when they were flying at their highest.

Now, due to sheer fact that all teams have to play each other twice over the course of the season – not exactly breaking news I know – means we’ll be facing some sides in the bottom half and have fixtures versus Oldham (16th), Aldershot (22nd) and Maidstone (15th) in October to look forward to.

Improvements must be made though – I know that. I’m not sat here typing this on my lunch break telling you that it will all be fine once we’ve played the poorer teams in the division. The signs are clear that we’re underperforming. Yeovil Town have dropped ten points from winning positions this season, no team has dropped more in the National League. There’s a clear mental block in the squad when we go a goal up that I cannot put my finger on, and I can’t dig out a statistic to explain it. We seem stuck between pushing for the second and sitting deep into a low block to protect the lead. In reality, we do neither.

The Glovers have had the second fewest amount of penalty box touches (144) in the league and our top goal scorer is our left-wing back. It’s time to make some tactical changes.


Solutions

So how do we get out of this situation? What are some actions we could take? Well, a change in formation must be the most obvious. In pre-season, Chris Hargreaves said repeatedly that we will change formation between games and within games based on the opposition but we’re yet to see that despite a run of bad results.

Changing to a back four is one call from the fans I can get behind. The issue though is Josh Staunton. Not because he’s not a good player, he’s arguably our best, but because I think Hargreaves is terrified to take such a reliable player out of the defence. If you push Staunton into midfield you lose Staunton in defence and the option of playing him in a back four isn’t feasible. Josh is perfect for that Conor Coady-esque role in the centre of a back three but Hargreaves must now push him into midfield, shielding the defence, as opposed to leading it.

So that’s settled, a back four is needed. But what about in front of it?

As we can’t hold on to a lead and seem to fade in games, a central midfield three making us less reliable on the ball playing abilities of Lawson D’Ath would be suggested. This would also mean our ‘five-figure’ signing Will Dawes, a winger, and Charlie Wakefield, a winger, could play in their actual positions. But not just Dawes and Wakefield, Gime Toure is very suited to the wide-forward role running at defenders with the ball at his feet.

The persistence in playing the 3-4-3 or 3-4-1-2 has meant we’re not putting our best attacking players in their best positions. Playing Wakefield at wing back, as you’ve mentioned on the podcast many times, is the squarest of pegs in the roundest of holes. Just play him in a wide-forward role, preferably on the right, give him the ball and tell him to run with it. Job done. Don’t overcomplicate things.

Conclusion

Confidence is everything in sport – one good result changes everything and with some very winnable fixtures coming in October I’d suggest patience with Hargreaves and his team. One thing you have to say is the players are leaving it all out on the pitch for the club – there’s no issues in motivation or playing for the badge or the manager or whatever cliché you want to trot out.

Just changing the formation though won’t be a magic pill that results in three points against Solihull on Saturday – but showing willingness to try something new is what’s needed on the terraces. If I see three at the back on Saturday at 3:00pm, it might be the last straw that makes me join the #HargreavesOut brigade.

 

We welcome everyone’s opinion here in the Gloverscast – goodness knows, you hear enough of ours – so if you fancy putting your point across about an issue relating to Yeovil Town, drop us a line at gloverscast@gmail.com.