Dryden: We changed the shape and it worked

Yeovil Town manager Richard Dryden said a change of shape contributed to a much-improved performance as his side picked up a 1-1 draw at home to in-form Carlisle United.

The Glovers lined up with a back four at Huish Park off the back of three disappointing performances and up against a visiting side which had won their last five and were unbeaten in October.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Mark Stillman after the match, Dryden said that a lot of focusing in their preparations for the match focused on changing the shape.

He said: “We knew what to expect from Carlisle, they are a top side, they are going to be up there (at that the end of the season). We spent a lot of time this week changing shape, tweaking a few things and the players and staff have been exceptional this week. I thought we started the game well and looked solid but we knew somewhere down the line they were going to have a lot of the ball and they did that in the last 20-25 minutes.

“When we look at it again we will probably look better than I thought and I thought we did well. But we will look back at the good bits, the bad bits and the bits we can improve on.”

Yeovil took the lead after just 15 minutes when George Nurse’s corner was turned in with striker Tahvon Campbell credited with the goal in the stadium, albeit some media outlets putting the goal down as an own goal from the visitors’ Morgan Feeney.

Having been second best for the opening 45 minutes, the visitors started to turn the screw as the game entered the closing stages and substitute Harvey McAdam drew them level with a fine finish after 68 minutes.

Dryden said: “The final touch (for the equaliser) was a great finish, but you can always stop goals. We will go through it with the lads, but there were one or two instances where maybe we could have stopped the cross coming in, etc.

“We know they pinned us back, but we know we have people who can get us up the pitch with a bit of pace and guile and some of the balls forward were really good. I thought the two lads up front (Aaron Jarvis and Tahvon Campbell) were brilliant down the middle, they held it up against the wind and with the wind. I have mentioned those two, but the whole squad were fantastic.”

New signing midfielder Max Jolliffe, who signed on loan from Colchester United until the end of the season during the week, started the match and received a warm ovation from the Huish Park crowd when he was substituted four minutes in to second half injury time.

Fellow recent arrivals defenders Michee Efete and George Nurse both played the full 90 minutes and the final newcomer, defender Dan Ellison who joined from Bristol Rovers on Friday, was an unused substitute.

Dryden said: “I know we need people in and we probably still do, but we wanted to get the right ones in, there is no point getting anyone in. Three or four weeks ago we could not find the right players to bring in, George (Nurse) has come in with a bit of calmness, Max (Jolliffe) has come in and showed a lot of ability and a lot of legs, and that is what we are looking for. Towards the end we ran out of legs a little bit and put a few square people (pegs, surely) in round holes to fill it up but we have come away with a good point.

On Jolliffe, the manager added: “He has only been here since Thursday but he has slotted in really well. He knew his role and the staff have worked really hard working on the roles and where to go and what to do. He is another good addition to the squad.

“Everyone is pushing for a place. In an ideal world you want two people in every position and we have two or three people who can play in two or three different positions. What we want is people who want to come and play for the team, the fans and the staff.”

With no FA Cup first round fixture next weekend, the Glovers have a ten-day break until the visit from Wealdstone to Huish Park. Dryden said the break would give an opportunity to get fitness in to a number of players including striker Junior Morias, winger Josh Sims and midfielder Brett McGavin, who were all missing from the squad against Carlisle.

The boss added: “They are all okay. Junior has had a bit of food poisoning, so we have kept him away to heal up and try and get fit, he will hopefully be back in next week. Simsy is just a bit (of a problem) with his Achilles, nothing super bad but it is pretty sore.

“They have got through a hell of a lot of work again today, but we will keep rinsing and repeating what we have done today with the shape. We have not got a game Saturday, so it gives us a bit more time to get those people we have injured back in hopefully. Jacob (Maddox) is not quite on the verge of getting back in, but he is getting in close. So now we have a good period of time where we can top up on a few things, work on a few things and then we have more games coming up.”