Sunday, August 27, 2023

Off to Offa’s Capital

Off to Tamworth on Monday. Hereford’s links with the Staffordshire town go back centuries. King Offa made Tamworth his capital of Mercia and constructed the famous dyke on the west of Herefordshire. In footballing terms Tamworth are serial under achievers. With a population of 80,000 it is one of the largest places to have never had a football league club. Many in the town are Blues or Villans with Birmingham readily accessible. 

A thousand or so is the average when things are going well, and with a large contingent travelling from the Shire a healthy crowd is anticipated. Tamworth were promoted from the Southern League Central Division last season winning the title by having a three goal better goal difference than Coalville. At the heart of their defence is Jordan Cullinane-Liburd-Liburd. Decent when he played for the Bulls, he always looks comfortable at this level. He may well be partnered by former fan favourites Jamie Willets who has just come into the team. In the news is midfielder Ben Acquaye who played well for Banbury last season against the Bulls. He has admitted 645 bets from his days playing for Rushden and Diamonds. The non-league Ivan Toney. A number of other Rushden players have been charged and another Rushden connection is manager Andy Peaks who came in two years ago having managed the Northamptonshire side previously.

Tamworth are one position above Hereford in 12th by virtue of three goals better goal difference. A solid start from the Lambs who have lost to Scunthorpe, been Alfretoned 1 0 at home and drew at Farsley on Saturday. Wins at Spennymoor and Boston show a quick adaptation following promotion.

Hereford manager Paul Caddis having lost away at Blyth and home to Peterborough Sports needs to get the team back on the winning track. With a number of injuries he may need to be creative. One option might be to go five at the back. When Mendes was tiring before he was substituted, he switched positions with Skinner. Aaron looked solid ina more advanced role and Cranston has been effective going forward. Southern has played as a centre back so this would allow the Bulls to go to three centre backs.

With Tamworth playing on plastic, the record artificial pitches have on injuries and older bones is a worry. Lassana Mendes shows a fantastic work rate and it is to be hoped he can play at least part of the game, but the game may be coming around too soon. Last season Barnett and Amadi-Holloway winced at times on plastic. Rooney surely did not expect to be playing ninety minutes twice a week. With Williams out for several more weeks and Cowley unable to play every match the Bulls cannot afford for the assistant manager to pick up an injury. It may therefore be opportune to start Hewlett just down the road from his parent club, Burton Albion.

Some of the younger players need to learn from Rooney and Mendes on how to defend from the front. In the lead up to Peterborough’s goal the ball was taken far too easily from their penalty box to win the throw in, which lead to the goal. Worryingly some players appeared to switch off when the throw was taken.

With strikers out, goals will be harder to create so tightening defence throughout the team may be the best route to victory. Start with a point and keep it. Better still nick a goal to win, that’s my prediction for the prediction League but with my record expect the Bulls cruising to a three goal victory.