Yeovil Town striker Slavi Spasov has urged his team-mates to stay grounded after an unbeaten opening to the National League season, with the Glovers preparing for his return to former club Southend United.
Yeovil are one of only three teams yet to lose in their first five fixtures. Their strong August Bank Holiday brought maximum points, with a 2-1 victory at Barrow last Friday night followed by a 3-2 home win against Tamworth on Monday.
Despite the perfect six-point haul, Spasov said the squad knows there is plenty to improve. Speaking to BBC Somerset reporter Jack Killah on Thursday, the striker pointed to early warning signs after Yeovil allowed leads to slip in each of their first two matches.
“Performance-wise we maybe could have been better in certain games because the first two games we let a lead slip both times, but we are not getting carried away because we know we are only five games in to the season.”
The 24-year-old added that the team expects a difficult moment at some stage and will be judged by how it responds. For now, he said, the focus is on producing another good performance in the next match.
“We know we are due some sort of adversity at some point and it is about how we react when that does come, so we are not getting carried away we are just looking forward to the next game and putting on another good performance.”
Spasov faces former club Southend
The next fixture takes Spasov back to Southend United, the club he left for Yeovil during the summer. He was not a regular starter for the Shrimpers last season, but scored seven goals in 28 appearances as Southend reached the National League play-offs.
Spasov said his previous club remains a special place because of its history, close-knit squad and committed supporters. He expects the home crowd to create an intense atmosphere when Southend host Yeovil on Saturday.
“Because of what they have been through as a club is what makes it a special club, they are a tight knit group, the fans get right behind them and travel all over the country for away games and the stadium will be rocking when they are at home. I had a great season there last year and enjoyed my time there, but I felt it was the right time to move on.”
He also expects Southend to begin quickly and said the support could put pressure on Yeovil. Spasov has kept some details of his knowledge of the team to himself, saying he will see how the match develops.
“We can expect them to start fast and expect the fans to get on top of you, but the rest of what I have told the boys I will keep quiet for the time being and see how it plays out on Saturday.”
New Southend manager adds uncertainty
Southend appointed former Newcastle United player Kieron Dyer after Kevin Maher was sacked. Maher had guided the club to an FA Trophy win last season.
Spasov spent only a short period working with Dyer after the manager arrived in the summer, before completing his move to Somerset. He said Yeovil will study Southend’s approach before deciding how best to counter its strengths while imposing its own style.
“I only spent a week or ten days with (Dyer) when he joined in the summer, so I am not too familiar with exactly how they will play. But we will do our analysis and see how we can counteract their strengths and impose our style of play.”