By Andrew Warshaw

With four games to go, starting at Chelmsford tomorrow, Gavin Macpherson has opened up on the importance of squad bonding as we maintain our quest for Step 2 survival.

The visit to Essex has come slightly too soon for Adam Thompson who again misses out but is hoping to be fit for the mother of all clashes against St. Albans on Good Friday. Otherwise there are no new injury concerns for a game Gavin believes will be a lot tougher than our last three, all of which yielded draws.

“Adam has a slight ankle injury that is almost repaired and needs another couple of days,” Gavin said. “Every game now is being scrutinised. I can’t influence what St. Albans do, we have to look after our own camp.”

Salisbury have by far the easiest run-in on paper of the three clubs fighting to stay up including games against already relegated Aveley and Weymouth but Gavin is trusting both to fight on.

  “These teams have not given up their season and are still running hard and playing without pressure.  I’d be surprised if they just roll over.”

“I want to get enough points as quickly as we can. Chelmsford are an extremely balanced, well- established Step 2 side and I expect a much harder game than Hemel last time out. The way I look at it as we’ve been a goalscorer short of being a top-half team though defensively we are up there with the best over recent weeks, notwithstanding our goal difference which was particularly damaging early on.”

Manager of the month awards often end up being a proverbial curse and in typical vein, Gavin is playing down his award for March in typically understated vein.

 “I don’t place too much store on these awards and just want to get on with it,” said Gavin who disclosed that he had a deeper than usual private chat with the players at training on Thursday about the bigger picture of life outside football.

“I told them about some of the things that have happened in my life, including my brother, and how the club assisted me in navigating through that and how much of a help that was. It was designed to let them know I’m with them as regards the life struggles that sometimes come round. We’ve had a few personal issues within the camp and I wanted them to know they are not on their own and how much, psychologically, camaraderie can help and act as a kind of therapy.”

Continuing on the same theme, Gavin added: “We are a team with a bit of momentum at the moment in terms of the form table but once you get it, you can’t afford to lose it.  The point of the discussion was to bring a human side to the narrative and acknowledge that the boys have fought tooth and nail for the badge after going through something of a transition.”

Gavin revealed that he had been instrumental in arranging a straw poll among Town fans in terms of what the club meant to them. Why?

“I wanted the players to know, if they didn’t already, where the club has come from and how the supporters see themselves.”

“We put a collage together and fed the quotes back to the players. The community aspect is key to the inner workings and morals of the club. I did an analogy with other clubs who maybe only get more fans once they are doing well. That’s the measure of Town supporters rather than fair weather fans who sometimes only come out as and when.”

Footnote:

Just a reminder that we have live commentary on all four remaining games. Tomorrow’s link is: https://mjl99.mixlr.com/

Also don’t forget to buy your tickets in advance for the St Albans and Worthing games on the following links:

https://enfieldtownfc.ktckts.com/event/245match22/enfield-town-vs-st-albans-city

https://enfieldtownfc.ktckts.com/event/245match23/enfield-town-vs-worthing