Resilience Through Transition: Staying Focused on the Journey
A tough evening, ending in a 6-0 loss to a Scunthorpe who are favourites for the league and don’t lose many at home. Despite the score, it didn’t feel like a 6-0 game. Having been in football for the length of time I have it was one of those games where the score in my option didn’t truly reflect our performance. We had control early on and looked composed until the first goal. Goals change games, and to concede within those first 20 minutes—similar to the Hereford opener—was a real sucker blow. As a collective, we have to get better at managing these moments, and the lapses in concentration and focus need to be more consistent. But this will come with time, we are building a new style of play, with new ideas and new roles within the team and new dynamics.
Once again, errors cost us—starting with a long throw that led to the first goal due to hesitation in attacking the ball, which left Tom Wooster unable to get proper contact on it. The second goal came from a long-range shot we should have closed down earlier, and Tom will know he could have done better with it. For the third, they worked through our defence, and from then on, the goals came too easily for them, including a penalty.
That said, there were some positives. Teams are beginning to drop off and let us have the ball, and we’ve shown that we can use possession well rather than giving it away cheaply or over-forcing things. It’s encouraging to see players wanting to get on the ball, work it, and look for openings. The lads competed hard, and we created a few chances, with DJ forcing a good save in the second half and Manny coming close, hitting the post. This squad consistently shows resilience—they don’t give in, and I’ll always back and support them through it.
We’re in a significant transition period, both on and off the pitch. It’s easy to be distracted if we listen to all of the negativity put out there, but as professionals we can’t afford to let these things affect our focus. We need to be our best versions, and that’s something we strive for each match. The lads have been fantastic in grinding it out, showing commitment through a demanding stretch of fixtures.
The embargo will soon be removed, and we are planning on making a number of changes in both strengthening the squad and provide support for some of the lads facing long-term injuries, and also to bring in the players I think we are missing at the moment to create what I am looking for. A huge thank you to the fans who made the trip on a Tuesday night—you were fantastic, and your support means the world to us. We’ll regroup on Thursday to assess the squad and push forward as we prepare for the battles ahead.
This is a journey, not every step is a big step forwards, but every step is a learning experience. I have been in the role a few weeks now and over that period I have assessed where we are, and what’s needed to take us to the next level, and as painful as they are at the time games like that tell me a lot. So as fans don’t be disheartened by scorelines like this one, sometimes that’s happens. But those fans who have been attending games will have seen what we are doing on the pitch, and can see where we are going!
So please carry on supporting the club as you are because we will get there together!
