Yeovil Town manager Billy Rowley says the Glovers have returned to training in high spirits ahead of Saturday’s National League trip to Wealdstone.
The squad were given a scheduled break after their previous outing, and Rowley said the players came back to a positive session as they prepared for the next away fixture. Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Jack Killah, he said: “Yeah, it’s been really good. [We] had a good meeting this morning with the boys. It was good to see them after a couple of days off. Really positive training session today with, obviously, one eye on Saturday.”
Rowley sees progress in attack
Rowley believes Yeovil’s performances are moving in the right direction, although he said the team had not been ruthless enough in recent matches. He described football as “such a moments game”, with decisive spells often determining the outcome.
Reflecting on the Glovers’ finishing and attacking play, the manager said: “I think we’ve probably been better than we were on Saturday, we just probably weren’t as ruthless.” He pointed to JD’s goal as an example of the quality Yeovil can produce, calling it “an unbelievable strike from 20 yards on the angle”.
Rowley added that the team’s finishing positions and quality in the final third had been exceptional on Saturday, while the club’s build-up play and control had been showing similar signs in most weeks.
He also praised the wider squad after being asked about the influence of Jack Kingdon and Brett McGavin against Boston. Rowley said the players’ attitude and application in training had been excellent, and that the team was increasingly developing an understanding of each other’s relationships, timing and movement.
“There are more and more penny-dropping moments happening within the team, within certain relationships, timings, and movements,” he said. Rowley explained that the coaching staff were working through different scenarios during the week to help players feel as comfortable as possible on matchdays.
Fitness concerns and FA Cup test
Zain Westbrooke is being monitored with a minor calf strain and is described as “touch and go” for the Wealdstone match. Long-term absentees Joe Haigh and Joy Mukena are progressing in their rehabilitation and could return ahead of their original schedule.
Wealdstone are 19th in the National League, but Rowley warned that Yeovil cannot afford to underestimate their opponents. He said Wealdstone have good players, traditionally perform strongly at home and will be motivated by Yeovil’s late victory there last season, when the Glovers finished the match with 10 players.
“For us, we approach that game in a really confident place, very much looking forward to it,” Rowley said.
Yeovil have also been drawn away to Leatherhead in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round. Rowley said the tie would be difficult, noting that the hosts have enjoyed considerable success over the past year or two. He added that a team from the league below would be expected to give “110%”, but said Yeovil would travel aiming to win.
McCormick situation clarified
Rowley also addressed midfielder Luke McCormick after a recent club statement. He said the player had not asked to leave Yeovil and described the matter as an internal disciplinary issue that he had dealt with.
“Nothing’s changed from my end… I’m not going to stand here and air people’s laundry on camera; it’s not my place to do that,” Rowley said. “Luke’s never asked to leave the club. It was a disciplinary problem within in-house, which I’ve dealt with, and that’s all it is.”