As far as form goes, our ‘friends’ from down the road in W*ymouth arrive at Huish Park for the Somerset-Dorset derby without any.
Without a victory in their last six matches and without three points in the National League since the end of October, the Terras have changed managers since our FA Cup encounters from earlier in the season.
David Oldfield, who made nearly 700 League appearances as a player with Leicester City among others, replaced the luckless Brian Stock – who presumably now knows this match is a derby – in mid-January.
Oldfield had been at National League South side Oxford City who he left in fourth position to move seven players up the football pyramid.
However, it appears he does know it’s a derby, speaking to the Dorset Echo, the Terras’ manager said: “It’s a very important game for us on many levels.
“From our point of view it’s a very big game, we know that within the club. We need to make sure we’re as ready as possible.
“But also, it’s our next game. We need to grab any opportunity we can to play, try and improve and move forward.”
Transfer deadline day did see Oldfield add a player to his ranks in the form of striker Manasse Mampala.
The 21-year-old joined on loan from League Two Carlisle United late on Monday night having not made a league appearance for the Cumbrians since the end of November.
Speaking about the former Everton academy prospect’s departure on loan, Carlisle boss Keith Millen said: “He hasn’t played enough first-team games, and has to go and learn how to play week-in, week-out and show people what he can do.
“It’s not so much the level, it’s more about him playing consistently and showing people what he can do, getting some confidence and belief, and scoring some goals.”
Having suffered late heartbreak in their last two matches, not least on Saturday when an injury time own goal from former Glovers’ striker Brandon Goodship saw them go down 1-0 at home to Aldershot Town, managed by former boss Mark Molesley.
FROM THE MANAGER
Speaking about the derby, Terras’ boss David Oldfield told the Dorset Echo:
“It would mean a lot of the club. We know how important it is to the supporters, we want to reflect that.
“But also make sure we’re working as hard as we can collectively.
“It’s a big challenge, Yeovil are a good team and had a great result at the weekend – but we’ll be ready.”
TEAM NEWS
Striker Ben Thomson could be available for selection having been missing since the middle of November.
The 33-year-old has been suffering problems with his Achilles and calf since pre-season which has limited him to just six appearances, albeit he has scored twice in those outings.
He has been involved in training and led the pre-match warm-ups in recent weeks, so it is a question of whether manager David Oldfield picks him.
Defender Josh Leslie-Smith (head), and striker Martell Taylor-Croasdale both seem unlikely to feature, whilst midfielder Andy Robinson (hip) and striker Brad Ash (ankle) have all been missing through injury in recent weeks and will be late calls for the boss.
Omar Mussa returned for the defeat to Aldershot having suffered a shoulder injury in the draw at Boreham Wood.
The Belgian, who Glovers fans will recall shushing the Thatcher’s End after the Terras’ late equaliser in the first FA Cup game, went off in that match complaining of breathing issues.
FOOT IN BOTH CAMPS
With the geographical location of both teams, there are a lot of players who have seen service with both these clubs.
However, the only one who is likely to feature in the latest meeting of Somerset-verus-Dorset is Brandon Goodship
The striker played eight times for Darren Way’s Yeovil in 2017, scoring a crucial goal in a 1-0 win at Dagenham & Redbridge which helped keep us in the League.
He was released at the end of that campaign and dropped down to the Wessex Stadium where he scored 38 goals in his first season and 39 in his second campaign in the Southern League Premier earning him a move in to the Football League at Southend United.
Despite making more than 50 appearances for the Shrimpers, he was released following their relegation to non-League and returned to Weymouth in the summer.