TUFC head coach Gary Owers has spoken of the importance of his team controlling their emotions as the season comes to an end.
United are fighting to stay in the National League and have been bolstered by back-to-back win against Chester FC and Woking FC. As the finish to the 2017/18 season nears, United will need to stay focused to allow them to play to their best. This covers every aspect of they’re performance, even celebrating a goal, the devil is in the detail.
“The emotions will get higher,” said Owers at his weekly press call. “I’ve spoken to them about scoring goals and the celebration. Every goal is a big goal, and I see it at the top level, and I’ve seen it in the last couple of weeks: teams scoring goals in the last minute to equalize and then getting beat. I’ve seen it over my career where the lads at the back run seventy yards to go and join in the celebrations and all of a sudden they’re kicking off and half the team can’t breath. I’ve mentioned one or two little things about just reacting in the right manner.”
“There’s going to come a point in the next six games where I’m stood there with ten minutes to go and it’s ten minutes from a really good outcome because we’ve got the points, or ten minutes where we’ve got to score a goal, so I’m ready for that.
The Gaffer used an example from Monday’s win over Woking of how United nearly came undone. After Connor Lemonheigh-Evans had scored to put United in the lead, United just about survived a goal mouth scramble to keep the lead.
“We conceded a poor goal, scored, and then tried our best to let them back in the game. I’ve seen the scramble – we got off lightly – they should have scored. It’s decision making, but it’s going to be decision making under even more pressure, now.”
Owers is keen to push the importance that the whole squad have going into the final six games of the season.
United have a packed month of fixtures to deal with after postponements earlier in the season pushed matches against AFC Fylde and Guiseley into April. The Gaffer is eager that players impress whether they feature in the starting eleven, or come off the bench.
“Being ready to come off the bench and make an impact,” emphasized Gary. “The lad at Chester ran off the bench last week and hit the post. When I watched Solihull the lad ran off the bench and scored a goal. I’d love to see that; I’d love to see someone change a game. When we’re doing well, we’re strong. I’m not saying we haven’t got a strong squad, I’m just saying that the impact is always being made my the players that start the game. We haven’t had that… Super sub. Someone coming on and livening us up, or scoring a goal. They’re all bonuses and they’re important.”
Next Fixture: Dover Athletic Vs Torquay United | 07/04/18 | Kick-Off 3pm | For travel & entry details click here.