After 10 days off, it was not a happy return to Huish Park for Yeovil Town. Here are Ian’s Five Conclusions from a miserable night under the lights.
Where was the intent? From the kick off Wealdstone seemed to show all the intent, energy and desire. They controlled the ball – albeit it was Cooperball-esque – but we were never able to keep it and build our own pressure. Every scrap of something we had was a ball out to Oluwabori or Plant and hoping they could make something happen. All over the pitch we were sloppy with our passing and I thought, tactically, we had no answer to the visitors. Even if you take the conditions into account, Wealdstone had no problems and we cannot use it as an excuse. Wealdstone looked the like the home team last night [insert jab about training in Bristol] and that’s pretty damning.
One step forward, two steps backwards. The improved performance against Carlisle United gave supporters a nugget of hope. We appeared to have turned a corner and the hope was to build some momentum. Maybe get some players back in and fit. Sadly, Sims and McGavin weren’t ready and yet again we still looked leggy. Oluwabori had little impact, Morais made no difference from the bench and Jarvis and Campbell were feeding off scraps. Even the Efete and Nurse, who I though looked good in the last outing, barely completed a pass to a teammate. Maybe the Carlisle draw (only our second all season) papered over the cracks, but our next two are even more difficult against Scunthorpe and Southend.
Goals goal goals. Nine matches at home this season, nine goals, three of which came against Gateshead. 25 goals at home last season, 18 at home in 22/23, 20 in 21/22. Bar the National League South season (46), we’ve not had many chances to cheer during League matches. It feels like a tale as old as time in the National League, we struggle to created chances for our strikers. Last night was no different, Jarvis nearly got on the end of a cross in the 2nd half, but he and Campbell spent so much time coming deep to get the ball and bring others into the game but they get zero service. Oh for a Sonny Blu…
Mussa ran the midfield. Wealdstone’s number four seems to love Huish Park. Back in October 2021 he pulled the strings for W*ymouth in Yeovil’s 1-1 FA Cup draw and he did it again last night. Cool on the ball, fancy feet get out of tight spots – which set them on their way to a second goal – and read the game expertly. With McGavin and Maddox to return from injury to add to Joliffe and McCormick in the midfield, I really hope we can see some of that in our midfield. Or maybe, we can sign him in January? It’s not always raining sideways Omar.
What’s left this season? We’ve not even reached firework night and I feel like the reasons to believe this season are ebbing away. The minor momentum and good-will from Carlisle vanished last night with boos ringing around Huish Park on full time. Hopefully the FA Trophy draw is kind to us and we get can get a decent run in that. But, I’ve not seen enough consistency to think we can achieve anything more than mid-table this season. I hope I’m wrong on that and hope that preparation for 2026/27 is going on in parallel because, if the attendance is going to stay over 2,000, we need something to believe in.
On a positive note, at least they’re offering old style t-shirts in the club shop, for supporters who didn’t like the badge being changed. Could do with something like that but a polo shirt.
Mid-table & a possible FA Trophy run, Ian.
Oh, for your optimism!
Got to hang on for something!
I agree largely with your comments but a place in the NL is essential compared to a run in the Trophy.
You also don’t mention the continual and aimless hoof up into the night sky by the Captain who seems to playing his own tactics, and whose form has disappeared, along with Nurse ( shockingly awful), and Oluwabori ( directionless) , many changes needed, cos it can’t be any worse . Nigel T
On your last point when you mention attendances, I totally understand long time supporters turning their backs on the club. I’ve been a fan since the early 80s and this is a bad as I’ve seen. It’s taken me a long time but I’m finally fed up with being fobbed off by owners and their stakeholders/spin men, or whatever they call themselves. I’m not saying I won’t go to Huish park at all but I certainly won’t be rushing to any games under this regime any time soon.
It’s a right old conundrum. We had on the face of it a decent eleven staring, possibly a few with less game time and returning from injury but for whatever reason it just never clicked. Could we have been more effective with Plant and Olowobori on the opposite wings? It was quite a bit of hoof it clear or sideways passing and not sticking up top.
I don’t think it’s lack of skill in the squad – perhaps it’s a mentality thing? I mentioned to a mate of mine we once had Mark Lader (the psychologist) we had on staff back in the Trophy/Conference winning seasons and if we need someone to get in the heads of the players?? Thought??
But if 2002-2003 is our first true marker of success then we have a long way to go to reach that standard of passion, determination, skill, and end product.
We do have a team. We don’t have a manager. Failure to appoint a manager with experience will probably lead to relegation or a close run thing and more worrying for the club a massive drop in attendances. False economy from business people who should know better. If RD really cares about this club he would do the right thing. So sorry but has to be said
Excellent conclusions Ian.
The 5th one in particular the club should pay close attention to. I’d accept mid table if you could see real progression but can’t see that. Our recent record in FA Trophy is abysmal so admire the optimism. I stand by my opinion that we should have appointed new manager rather than giving it to Dryden. I like Dryo as coach and he’s very honest in his interviews, however he isn’t the answer longer term.
Thumbs down in error. Should be thumbs up as agree with you!