Yeovil Town will be looking to put a poor opening day performance behind them as they face St Albans in the first game at Huish Park this season.
After what has been a turbulent week off the pitch for the Glovers, the playing staff will be hoping they can right some of the wrongs of the last week with a win.
The Saints however come in to the game off a 2-1 win against Towns bitter rivals W*ymouth.
Yeovil Town News:
Manager Mark Cooper expressed his desire to show what his team are “really about”. He said: “We were miles away from where we need to be and I know that and the work this week has been trying to refocus and get the boys in to a place where they can have a platform to showcase their ability.”
Cooper was not happy with his teams decision making in the final third last week. He said: “We picked so many wrong selections of passes and crosses last week that it was always going to be difficult for us to score.”
The former Forest Green Rovers boss referenced the fact “Jake Hyde was available for selection” as a reason for a turnaround in his sides attacking play against St Albans.
Cooper also backed local boy Will Buse, “to thrive off the home crowd” this weekend after his mix up with Zac Bell led to the Hemel Hempstead goal.
Jordan Stevens is the only player unavailable for selection through injury.
St Albans News
Speaking to St Albans YouTube after their win against W*ymouth, manager David Noble spoke about the up coming match against the Glovers. He said: “We will go watch their game from today and go from there. We’re just focusing on ourselves, it’s a tough, but we have to play everyone at some point.”
Noble, who had a loan spell at Yeovil in 2009, has another former Glover in Shaun Jeffers at his disposal. However, after scoring 27 goals last season for the Saints, he has found himself on the bench for the opening game and most of preseason. This is down to Noble preferring players who “run rather than score goals” according to the “A Podful of Saints” podcast.
Shaun Jeffers, take a bow sonpic.twitter.com/gl2nt2GIaw
— COPA90 (@Copa90) April 23, 2023
The Hertfordshire side have quality in their ranks outside of Jeffers, with central midfielder Ryan Blackman a key player for the Saints. After joining in January, Blackman quickly became a fan favourite helping guide his side to the playoffs last year.
Left Back Ben Wyatt, is touch and go after picking up a slight knock.