Gavin Macpherson has never liked the phrase six-pointer but there’s no getting away from the fact that tomorrow’s clash with Farnborough is arguably our biggest league game of the season.
Slough’s victory over Farnborough in midweek heaped even more pressure on Town who now find themselves second to bottom of the table — three points behind the Rebels and four behind our visitors from Hampshire in the quest for safety.
That gives you some idea of the urgency of trying to narrow the gap on what is an eagerly anticipated day for Town off the field as well as on it, being Whole Club Day with all manner of special pre-match activities and entertainment. ETFC bracelets will once again be on sale, the Ladies section will have a stall and Krispy Kreme, one of our new sponsors, will be selling their doughnuts at a discounted rate.
The club will also have a stall from where raffle tickets will be sold with a range of prizes including signed Spurs and ETFC shirts, 2 free entry tickets to Hertfordshire zoo, two hours free work on your garden donated by GP Garden Services, a 15% discount voucher off of a meal at Judges restaurant and a case of Blind Poet beer. Raffle tickets will be £2.00 per strip or 6 strips for £10.00 and your support will be greatly appreciated.
On the pitch, such is the precarious position the club find themselves in – five straight league defeats — that Gavin gathered his management team together for a brainstorming session at a hotel near Heathrow on Tuesday.
“We had a long chat about where we need to be, something of a reprogramming discussion if you like,” Gav disclosed. “I wouldn’t call it a crisis meeting. A few good words were expressed across the table because we all felt a bit of fine-tuning was needed.”
“We were well adrift at New Year last season and eventually just got out of it but it’s vital we pick up enough points in November and December not to be in that situation again. It’s ridiculous using words like six-pointers in November but I can understand why this game tomorrow is being built up, it’s massively important.”
“The fact is, however, it wouldn’t matter who we were playing, we need a win. Farnborough signed some massive players in the summer and certainly have the ability, particularly the forward end of the pitch. They are in a false position in my opinion. Remember, they beat Chelmsford away the other week.”
In terms of the injury list, Gav revealed good news and not so good. The four players suspended or away on international duty have all returned while Lemar Reynolds should also be available for selection and Mickey Parcell could make his 300th appearance for the club. Sam Youngs, who didn’t train Thursday having been abroad for some warm weather rehab, will be assessed late on.
Definitely out still are Henry Hawkins and goalkeeper Tom Norcott who is likely to be absent for longer than anticipated. They are joined on the sidelines by Avan Jones and Tommy Wood.
“As far as Tom is concerned, we could be looking at the best part of a month rather than 10 days which is hardly ideal having just released Rhys,” said Gavin. “It’s terrible timing. Put it like this: we are reviewing our options on that one. Normally having four or five out would be considered a crisis but compared to how we were a week ago at Harborough when we had 13 out, it feels in a way like Christmas has come early.”
Now we have to make sure we don’t give Farnborough any presents.
AW