AFC Telford have come far - despite Wrexham loss

It's games like Wrexham away that make you realise how far we've come writes AFC Telford blogger Dan Clark.

This time last year, we were about to play Stafford Rangers at the New Bucks Head. This year, we went to the Racecourse to play Wrexham, who are top of the league.

It is a massive indicator of our impressive rise to the top flight of non-league football. But this New Year's Day clash also demonstrated that we still have a bit of work to do if we are to maintain ourselves in this division.

Wrexham are actually quite a good side, but we have played better teams this season. They will be up there at the end of the season. But for me, there were more impressive teams who will be challenging with them. We actually played well at times, challenging Wrexham's defence, but there was a lack of a clinical nature which we still need to resolve.

One way of resolving this for me would be to add another striker up front to support Chris Sharp. Sharp's goals have come in games that we have had two strikers on, so that they support each other going forward, effectively challenging the defence in numbers. However, Sharp was made quiet by Wrexham, Creighton leading a defensive line that cut out any problems we gave them.

Telford actually started well, playing well down the wings to try and get an early goal. We came onto Wrexham with a bit of confidence and it looked positive.

However, as soon as the Reds scored their first goal, our heads dropped. We stopped playing the positive football we had matched the opposition with.

This ultimately led to their second goal, Creighton unmarked to head in from a corner. This shot our confidence to pieces and we quietened down during either side of the interval, playing deeper in our own half.

There were spells in the second half where we looked like we might get a goal, but the lack of confidence we had from losing had affected our passing, the lads weren't providing enough support to each other and Wrexham easily shut us down and finished off with two more goals.

It is not a crisis though that some people seem to think we have. Wrexham are a good side who have a good setup, as are many teams we have come against this season. We had impressive spells of play against Wrexham and it was only confidence and experience to pick ourselves up after conceding that caused us to lose quite substantially.

To combat this however, Sinton has said that he is bringing in experience in the window. For one, I am glad that we have a manager who is willing to go out and actively solve problems and it will be exciting to see who he brings in.

I also think it is a smart move to cut a few fringe players down. There won't be as many players challenging for places, but there will be enough to rotate if players lose form. It'll also allow us to be able to afford wages for more experienced players.

The Bucks have Kettering at home next, a side that now struggles to put a team together each match and have lost in big scoring games recently.

It is a good opportunity for the lads to gain some confidence back and start getting our season back on track. Keep the faith!

See also:

• Andy Sinton:?I’m closing in on AFC Telford signings

• Wrexham 4 AFC Telford 0 – Highlights

• Wrexham 4 AFC Telford 0