Blog: AFC Telford follow a familiar pattern

We're starting to get into a familiar pattern, writes AFC Telford blogger Dan Clark.

Three out of the last five games have transpired exactly the same way. We started strongly, then had a period where the opposition came at us, and then the opposition scored in the second part of the first half.

The second half is a different story, however. Telford start to dominate. Their passing is brilliant. We look smart and composed. We equalise and everything starts to look positive. Then, the last ten minutes come. The Bucks sit back, the opposition charge and get a late goal to win the game 2-1.

The only variant factor, especially against Gateshead, is that we have seen our confidence grow more and more. It was disappointing that we lost again, but at least we're looking a bit more positive and this positivity should bring some good results in the next few games.

We're also producing some great bits of play that replicate the form we had earlier on in the season. The only thing we need to stop doing now is sitting back and playing for the draw, because teams in this league will punish us for it.

We played well at times on Saturday, especially in the second half. The passing at times was fluid and we looked strong and confident. I would like to see King for a few more games as I thought he looked strong in pre season. I do feel we miss Meechan though. His creativity up front is something that would compliment Sharp or a fully fit Proudlock, even though Andy Brown is doing a great job so far this season.

Andy Sinton has obviously motivated the players a lot to do better since last Saturday. We now look a shadow of the team that played against Ebbsfleet. We just have to learn that we are in a tough professional league where teams do not let us off the hook. The lads can then take this experience and use it to become more clinical and efficient and I strongly believe we will get there with the team we have now.

This season is definitely a learning curve and that can be proved by Saturday's opposition. Gateshead have now been in the top flight of the Conference since 2009 (as every Telford fan will unfortunately remember). They had a couple of average seasons in mid-table and now have pushed on and consolidated their team to become a strong force with a mix of conference and league experienced players.

If Telford were to do the same as Gateshead and slowly build to become a strong side, then I will be very happy.