Yeovil Town manager Billy Rowley has confirmed that Brett McGavin will step up as the club’s new permanent captain ahead of their upcoming National League fixture against Altrincham.
Speaking to Jack Killah from BBC Somerset, Rowley praised McGavin’s leadership qualities:
“Brett McGavin will step step into that position. I yeah, I can’t speak highly enough of of Brett as a as a bloke and as a lad. He’s top professional, he’s one of the sort of technically most gifted players I’ve ever ever seen really.” Rowley added that McGavin is “tactically really astute” and represents a “natural replacement” following the departure of Luke McCormick.
Addressing how McGavin has elevated his performances this season, Rowley noted:
“I wouldn’t say shocked me because I’ve seen how good he is for the last 11 months, um, but putting putting other profiles of players that maybe suit his style a little bit more… has brought him up a level.”
The Glovers head into this weekend’s game with fellow play-off hopefuls Altrincham after a thrilling FA Cup tie.
Reflecting on the pros and cons of the extra fixture in midweek, Rowley noted:
“Obviously more goals for the supporters to enjoy, um, a good run out for some of the boys that that needed it, [and] a great appearance from young [Liam] Nardiello from the youth team.” Rowley also credited Leatherhead for making both ties “really difficult” and helping Yeovil secure a record for most times qualified for a non-league club.
Looking ahead to Saturday, Rowley acknowledged that both sides had to navigate unexpected midweek replays, Rowley stated:
“They’re obviously really good in the form table, they’re really exciting to watch, they play a good style of football, and and it should be a good test.” He added that while Yeovil must go into the game “expecting to win, especially at home,” they must remain “really mindful that they are a top team.”
Preparations have also been complicated by an incoming weather forecast with Storm Austen expected to bring 40 to 50 mph gusts.
Rowley explained how this might alter their tactics:
“For us to be successful, we’re going to have to be, good in all weathers, good in all conditions, and good on all pitches.”
“You’ve got to be really good at adapting on the spot, and the players need to be given some freedom to understand that if we’ve worked on certain ideas and, certain ways to score, if there’s 40 mile an hour winds in their faces and you can’t play a ball in the channel, it probably changes the plan a little bit…the boys have to be intelligent, have to think on their feet.”
On the injury front, Yeovil emerged from the week mostly unscathed – “I can’t think of anyone that’s that’s on the physio bed today” suggesting that Zain Westbrooke will be back in contention, but a precaution was taken on James Daly this past Tuesday,
“James Daly had a slight scare, he actually injured his ankle in the last kick of the warm-up on Tuesday night… We decided to give it a go, he did his best that he could. We rested him at half-time, it was swollen up a little bit, but yeah, he’s training fully today, which is great news.”
As Yeovil look to maintain their position within the playoff picture, Rowley stressed the importance of staying grounded, saying.
My job along with the staff here and the players is to to keep our feet on the ground and not look too far ahead. If you look at the 10th hurdle in a race, you’re probably tripping over the first one, aren’t you? So, we’ve just got to concentrate on today, we’ve got to concentrate on tomorrow’s prep, we’ve got to play well against Altrincham and we keep doing that week-to-week, we’ll probably be all right.”