Since the last blog the Bucks have played twice, and after winning eight consecutive league games to end 2008 fans were expecting more of the same in the New Year, writes Telford blogger Joe Davies.

However, the first game, against Stafford, ended in a 1-0 defeat and the second, against King’s Lynn ended in a 1-1 draw. 

The home game against Stafford on New Year’s Day went ahead after the referee deemed the pitch playable at the midday inspection, but Bucks fans were left wishing it had been called off. 

Former Telford favourite, Dean Craven, scored the only goal of the game on his return to the New Bucks Head. If anyone was going to get the winner I suppose it was bound to be him.

To make matters worse Steve Jagielka, who had been on the pitch for only 10 minutes as a sub, had to be withdrawn through injury and could be out for a while. It’s a shame because we could really do with his calming influence on the pitch at the moment.

The game against King’s Lynn was also disappointing for the fans. After taking the lead late in the game, we really should have seen the game out and taken the three points in order to keep the pressure on the teams above us.

The two results leave us in third place in the league, two points behind leaders Tamworth and one behind Southport who both have a game in hand on us.

The games have seen us struggle to score goals and that is something which hasn’t been a problem for us this season. I think we are relying on the strikers far too much to win the game. 

It would be good to see Smith and Chambers bring in a central midfielder who can link the play and get forward to support the strikers more. That was something we really lacked at home to Stafford on New Years’ Day.

The FA Trophy game against Hayes and Yeading Utd and the Setanta Shield game against Kettering Town will be a chance to rest some players so they can recharge their batteries. 

Obviously it would be nice to win both games and progress in the cups but I am sure I speak for all Bucks fans when I say we would rather gain promotion than win a cup!