Ian Perkins (Page 98)

A 1-0 win over Barnet in miserable conditions with a referee who wanted to be centre of attention was far from a classic, but it did move Yeovil to within two points of the play-off places with a game in hand over many teams above them.

Here are Ian’s Five Conclusions on an eleventh match unbeaten….

Dale Gorman’s importance to this team is understated. I touched on this during last Monday’s

podcast. Like many of this team, Gorman has taken a bit of time to make his mark but he’s well and truly doing it now. His assist for Yussuf was a deliciously-flighted cross to the back post with his weaker foot and it invited the Tanzanian to head home. He played, in match where he really had to concentrate, on a yellow card from the 22^nd minute. He moves the ball nicely, keeps the game flowing and he has the edge that Darren Sarll likes his players to have. We can’t afford to be without him, and I think if we were to lose him for a game or two, we’d really notice his absence.

That FA Cup atmosphere wasn’t there. What a difference seven days make. A gate of 2024 (with 98 away fans) meant there were less than 2000 Yeovil Town supporters in the ground. That electrifying atmosphere wasn’t there. There’s a new variant in town which might ruin Christmas, thus people could be taking extra precautions, but this is an in-form team without a loss in 11 matches who are on the verge of the playoff positions and in the 3^rd Round of the FA Cup. We all know what needs to happen, though.

As matches go, this wasn’t the most enthralling. It was pretty bleak conditions at Huish Park, with two teams looking to break each other down. Barnet were restricted by our ever-resilient defensive unit and our huff and puff attack didn’t create many clear cut chances. It made for a rather drab affair which was made entertaining (apologies for the Rule #1 break here) by a referee who insisted on being the centre of attention. Ephram Mason-Clark’s red card and the subsequent booking of four members of the Barnet coaching team was the pièce de resistance of refereeing performance art from Ryan Atkin.

We should have killed the game off. Yussuf’s opener was the perfect start, and our performance in the first

part of the match suggested we might do something special. As it happened, things evened out and it was a tough game. While we didn’t create and clear cut opportunities at goal, there were moments when we could have put the game to bed. Worthington teed up Gorman centrally, on the edge of the box, but Gorman miscontrolled and couldn’t get a shot away. Knowles could have put Lo-Everton in on goal but didn’t get his pass right. Lo-Everton was put through by Yussuf and worked a decent effort into the side-netting. Those moments would make things a little less stressful if they resulted in goals.

We are unreal at defending. I don’t recall ever being comfortable with Yeovil Town defending a one goal advantage. Come to think of it, I don’t recall being comfortable with Yeovil Town defending a two goal advantage either. But, this lot can defend. Luke

Wilkinson, Max Hunt, Dan Moss, Morgan Williams and Josh Staunton were the obvious standouts in their defensive duties yesterday. But the  way Yussuf, Wakefield, Lo-Everton, Worthington and Gorman press is a real difference maker. We know this team work hard for each other, but the confidence they’ve given supporters when we’re 1-0 up is remarkable.

Well, what a night under the lights and on the Beeb that was. Here’s are Ian’s Five Conclusions from a special night at Huish Park…

That was a proper FA Cup match. Huish Park was bouncing from kick-off with the supporters right behind the boys in green and white. There’s something special about FA Cup ties at Huish Park and last night was no different. The atmosphere was electric throughout and when Charlie Wakefield smashed the ball home, the roof came off.

Can we keep Dan Moss forever? Another man of the match performance, a goal-saving tackle and a performance far beyond his years. Our history of developing loanees is continuing with Moss. He’s falling into the category of Steven Caulker, Connor Roberts, Shaun MacDonald and others as loanees who are ‘ours’. Moss has been impressive from his debut and he’s just growing in this team. If we can’t get his loan extended, there’s going to be a massive hole in our squad without him.

Reuben Reid is going to improve us. Reid’s return from injury feels like it’s coming at a pivotal time. Adi Yussuf struggled to make an impact in the first half. He put himself about but didn’t really produce. He was key in for Charlie Wakefield’s goal though, keeping the ball away from Stevenage’s defenders and moving the ball to Sonny Blu Lo-Everton. Reid’s introduction, cheered by the Huish Park faithful, was welcome and in the short time he was on the pitch he showed what he was about. He held the ball up when we needed to kill time, he out-muscled defenders and he was always looking for the ball.

Clarity is needed. Prior to the match, social media was awash with rumour and speculation. Scott Priestnall has obviously checked out of Yeovil Town Football Club. He hasn’t been seen at a match since Chesterfield. The sooner he comes and out says he wants out the better. What this small squad of players and manager are doing with finite resources is nothing short of miraculous, but the lack of leadership from Priestnall is seeping it’s way into the manager’s press conferences now and that’s not right. Is he hanging on for a plum FA Cup tie? Is there a third group? Is Glenn Collis still at the table? What’s happening with Simul Sports? No one really knows except the people negotiating.

I think I was wrong. At the end of October, after our torrid run of results at Huish Park that culminated in the draw with Weymouth and I thought the writing was on the wall. We looked lost, we lacked identity and ideas. Since then, it’s been unbelievable. Darren Sarll has turned it around in a huge way and I’ll gladly eat humble pie. These players have struck form and are an infectious group. Well done Darren – and sorry!