Yeovil Town manager Billy Rowley believes there is more to come from his team as the Glovers prepare to welcome Boston United to Huish Park this weekend.
Yeovil go into the match in sixth place in the National League Premier Division, having collected 19 points from their opening 11 fixtures. Their position followed a 1-1 home draw with newly promoted Worthing on Tuesday night, a result which ended September with the club inside the play-off places.
Rowley and assistant manager Darren Simpson had previously discussed the time a largely new squad might need to settle into the division. Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Jack Killah before the Boston match, Rowley said he remained pleased with the progress being made, while acknowledging that the team had not yet reached its best level.
“I would have definitely taken it. It was only two years ago that I had to rebuild a team at my previous club (Walton & Hersham) and it takes I think four or five months to really, hit top gear and I don’t think we’ve hit that yet. I think we’re closer than than I expected us to be with signing 15 new players, so I am really happy with where we’re at right now. But we know that performances and league table position are the only thing that dictate that, so if we get another couple of wins it is looking excellent, but a couple of bad results and it is not looking so good. We are just going to focus on the here and now, the game Saturday, and hopefully be standing here next week saying we’re we’re looking good.”
Yeovil creating chances but seeking a clinical edge
The draw with Worthing was an open contest in which Yeovil created numerous opportunities but scored only once. Midfielder Brett McGavin produced the effort that led to the goal, with a visiting defender turning the ball into the net.
Rowley said the coaching staff had reminded the players that creating chances would need to be matched by converting more of them. He believed Yeovil had the better opportunities on the night, despite Worthing also threatening, but accepted that failing to take those chances had prevented the hosts from claiming all three points.
“It was definitely an entertaining game and I enjoyed it for the most parts. Obviously there are parts you are always critical of and we have had a meeting this morning where I have reminded the players that we are creating chances and banging that drum (that we need to take more of them). But I’m really happy with how the team’s looking, there’s a real good vibe around the lads.”
“On another day, we could have scored maybe three or four goals, they had couple of big chances, but I think we had the better chances. It was a really open game and that was by design, we didn’t win, but we just weren’t clinical enough.”
Defenders return while injuries continue
Defender Loick Ayina is available for the weekend after completing a three-match suspension imposed following his sending-off at Aldershot Town.
Joy Mukena remains out with a hamstring injury. Rowley said the defender was still “four or five weeks” away from being available, although the wording of the update in the interview does not make clear whether that estimate refers to a return to training or match readiness.
Midfielder Joe Haigh is also edging closer to a return. He has not played for Yeovil since signing during the summer but has taken part in a number of pre-match warm-ups in recent weeks. Rowley said Haigh had improved his running speed and mechanics, was looking fit and strong, and had built up his physical robustness through work in the gym.
“Joe hit his new top speed last couple of days, so his running mechanics are looking really good. He’s looking fit and strong and he’s been in the gym a lot, so he’s been able to build some like robustness that he probably wouldn’t have usually had during a football season. I think he’s going to be maybe two to three weeks away from proper ball work and then maybe four to six weeks away from from game time. But once we get Joe in, I think all the fans will be really excited to watch him play, and he’ll feel like a feel like a new signing for us.”
Boston arrive close to the relegation places
Boston United will travel to Huish Park after taking seven points fewer than Yeovil from their first 11 matches. They sit two points above the National League relegation places.
The visitors drew 1-1 at FC Halifax Town on Tuesday after losing 1-0 at home to AFC Fylde the previous weekend. Rowley expects Boston to offer a different tactical challenge but warned that the visitors have players capable of causing problems.
“Sometimes teams will will turn up and and scrap what they’ve been doing in previous week weeks and and throw something new at you, so we’ll be prepared for that. I do feel it might be stylistically slightly different, but equally they do have some real threats in their team. They’ve got some excellent players, it’s just another standard National League game, you’ve got to be ready and be at your best, or you’re not going to win.”
Latest on captain Luke McCormick
Rowley was also asked about the continuing situation involving club captain Luke McCormick. He said supporters would be told as soon as the club had a definitive answer, but that there was no fresh update to provide at present.
“Yeah, like I keep saying, as soon as we have a definitive answer for the supporters, they will get it. I’m not trying to pull a pull the wool over anyone’s eyes on that, it’s just we don’t have anything for them right now. As soon as we do, we’ll tell you.”