After a two-week league break, Enfield Town go into tomorrow’s vitally important home clash with Salisbury re-invigorated as we try to claw our way up the table.
Lady luck continues to frown on us, however, with arguably our three most experienced players likely to miss out. Sam Youngs serves a one-match suspension, Harry Ottaway remains injured and skipper Micky Parcell hurt his back in an accident at work.
Nevertheless, Gavin Macpherson is bullish about our prospects of a strong result against a side who have lost their last three and are on a run of five without a win.
With Town having lost their last four, both teams are desperate for points and Salisbury cannot be under-estimated having only succumbed to a late penalty against Torquay in midweek.
“We’ve no choice but to roll with it,” said Gavin of the forced absentees. “On the plus side, the available players have come back in with renewed vigour.”
“One thing I will say about this group is they never stop running for me. The dressing room is good and the boys are trying hard to put the work in. Those I thought were falling a bit short have left the club.”
On the positive front, Town have a new midfielder in loan signing Christian Scott from Wealdstone, an exciting addition to the squad.
“Christian started Wealdstone’s FA Cup game on Saturday when they went and won at Grimsby,” said Gavin. “He’s someone who will brings legs and energy, complementing the likes of what we have already and giving us a different dimension. Plus of course he has experience at Step 1.”
Town also bring in teenage defender Jay Lambert from the academy having been arguably our best player in the recent London Senior Cup defeat by Athletic Newham after which John Nurse sung his praises.
Thankfully, results in midweek involving the teams around us meant Town didn’t lose too much more ground and have avoided going into the Salisbury game rock bottom.
“I realise psychologically why some are focussing on us not being bottom but in all honesty it doesn’t make that much difference because it’s still very tight,” said Gavin. “The simple fact is we have to win enough football matches over the season. It’s all about where we finish.
“I have to hold my nerve and be true to myself. Of course as a manager you have doubts when things consistently don’t go right and you hear voices in your head. But we’re all human beings and I have to always do what I think is right.
“The squad is far from finalised but movement depends on player availability. That’s been the biggest issue for us. The Slough manager said this week he had never seen this league so tough in 11 years. That gives you an idea of what we are up against but you can’t pick and choose when you get promoted.”
AW