No complacency for Blues at Yeovil

THE BLUES

Blues assistant boss Paul Brush has been on the official site telling the lads not to get complacent: "I don't think this will happen but we have to stamp out any signs of that because you don't get away with that against any team. Yeovil have battling qualities and we are going to have to match that. That makes it important to go there and stay solid because they are a side that probably enjoy playing against us." Well, not recently Brushy but fair enough!

More interestingly he comments on the loan player situation: "We know what might happen and we're already looking at other options. As well as that we have our own players who are frustrated at not being in the team. If they get a chance and take it then they will stay in and that's what they will be looking to happen. (James Walker take note if you get another game soon.) Some of the players we have on loan might sign for longer but some will go back and we have to be able to deal with that."

Fair enough, but it will be disappointing if we don't return with three points considering the form we take into the game. There are signs that the defence can still go walkabout, an improvement from Francis when actually defending would be nice, but the Aussie looks as if he can pull them together and Dougie in or out, we should have enough to see off the Glovers. 2-0.

COME ON YOU BLUES!!!!!

THE OPPOSITION

21	Crewe Alexandra	8	2	0	2	8	7	0	1	3	4	11	2	1	5	12	18	7	-6
22	Yeovil Town	8	0	4	0	5	5	1	0	3	3	10	1	4	3	8	15	7	-7
23	Cheltenham Town	9	2	1	2	7	9	0	0	4	3	14	2	1	6	10	23	7	-13
24	Hereford United	8	1	1	2	5	5	0	0	4	2	10	1	1	6	7	15	4	-8

However new Yeovil Town winger Andy Welsh, quoted in the Western Daily Press, still believes the Glovers' fans will soon start to see an improvement, it can't get much worse Andy, as well as his own game.

The recent signing has made four appearances and will feature in his third home game when the Blues visit Huish Park tomorrow. The former Sunderland and Toronto FC wideman points to the example of midfielder Gary Roberts, who has now played eight times since joining on loan from Crewe.

Welsh said: "After the first few games I was finding my feet and the last game (a 2-0 defeat to Scunthorpe) wasn't a great result, but in the home games I have been getting it together. I said at the start it would be five or six games before I started feeling my normal self. It would be good to finish a game but I am starting to feel a lot better because I am training every day. You have seen with Gary Roberts - it took him six games until you started to see what he was capable of, and he has been really good since then."

The defeat at Glanford Park saw Yeovil drop into the relegation zone for the first time this season. A first home win since March may be needed to pull them away. "In terms of being in the relegation zone, it is very early. We are still unbeaten at home and we want to carry that on and start getting wins at home. We have drawn the last two and if we had won them we would be on the other side of the table. We probably haven't been as ruthless as we could have been at home. Especially against Bristol Rovers, but also against Brighton, we had a few chances. If we just start taking them we will be winning games comfortably," said Welsh.

The 24-year-old knows that midfielders like himself have to net their share of goals. "Once the strikers get a couple I am sure they will start banging them in left, right and centre. I am probably guilty in my first couple of games of not scoring. Especially against Brighton, (when) I went on a mazy run and it (the shot) took a deflection. We all have to chip in if the strikers aren't scoring - sometimes you do expect 15 or 20 goals from them but if they aren't doing it then you expect your other midfielders or maybe your centre-halves to be chipping in with a goal."

Welsh has played most of his football on the left-hand side since joining Yeovil but he can also swap to the right flank if needed, with Danny Schofield equally adept on the left. "It keeps the other team on their toes. I know Schoey likes to move left and right. It gives the team more options in terms of being able to cut back either way."

The Yeovil squad remains one of the smallest in League One, but Welsh believes that has some benefits. (We've heard that before!) "It is a small squad and one good thing is that if someone gets injured then you can be straight in the team to start, so it is up to you. I think we are very strong in terms of getting behind each other and that will only hold us in good stead for the rest of the season. If anyone was to come in I know from my point of view I found it very easy to settle because it is such a small squad and they make people welcome."

Meanwhile, Yeovil Town manager Russell Slade described Scunthorpe United's performance in their comprehensive victory as the benchmark his side must aspire to. (Roll on October 21.) Scunthorpe's attacking verve surpassed even Slade's pre-match predictions following various scouting missions and, without a win in eight outings, the Yeovil manager is hoping his players took note. "I think we probably played the best team in the league. The tempo at which they played and the ability they've got throughout the side was a fantastic yardstick for where we need to travel, where we need to be."

The Iron unleashed an avalanche of attacking play from kick-off, buoyed by the prospect of topping League One if other results went their way and roared on by a hearty support lapping up the late-summer sunshine at Glanford Park. Only Asmir Begovic and some sturdy woodwork kept Yeovil in the match as Nigel Adkins' side showed why they, and not Leeds or Leicester, are making the early running at the top of the table alongside Oldham.

The Yeovil team that finished that match: Begovic, Peltier, Skiverton, Forbes, Jones, Downes (McCollin 46), Welsh (Tomlin 69), Way, Roberts, Schofield, Warne. Subs Not Used: Bircham, Alcock, Murtagh.

No complacency for Blues at Yeovil

Last updated : 03 October 2008 By Shrimpers24