Andy Sinton wants calm as AFC Telford take action

AFC Telford United boss Andy Sinton has pleaded for patience ahead of the Bucks return to action at home to Braintree tomorrow.

Telford, without a competitive match since January 28, have won just one out of the last 10 league games to slip perilously close to the Blue Square Bet Premier drop zone.

Currently in a safe spot on goal difference alone, Sinton is fully aware of the plight the Bucks are in but is urging the crowd to get behind the players, in what he describes as one of Telford's biggest matches since the club re-formed.

• Listen to this week's football podcast

He said: "It's going to be a huge game on Saturday. I don't want to over-play it too much but we could really do with three points.

"We need people here and we need them behind the players.

"I'm a firm believer that it's easier to play at the top end of the table than the bottom. The bottom throws in a lot of apprehension and nerves that these players don't need, because they are giving everything.

"They don't need the crowd on their back if they misplace a pass after 10 minutes, because that won't do anyone any good.

"I'm urging people to come out here and support the players. These boys are good professionals and they are working as hard as they can.

"We need the supporters now more than ever, since the club was formed seven years ago."

And Sinton believes his side will start as second favourites against a Braintree side without an away league win since September 26.

He said: "Braintree are 14 points ahead of us and that is a big gap.

"We've got to play the underdog tag, because that's what we are in almost all of our games.

"If we had Luton here or Fleetwood here, then everyone would be with us. Just because it's Braintree coming here doesn't mean we aren't still up against it.

"We know we're in a battle but it's a battle we're confident we can come out the other side of, having stayed up.

"If we can do that, then this club will be in very good shape in April and May, both on the field and off the field, to hopefully push on."

Sinton could hand debuts to three new signings in striker Ryan Brooke and wingers David McDermott and Jon Brown, although frontman Adam Proudlock is unlikely to be involved as he continues his recovery from a broken ankle.

See also:

• Ryan Brooke sees brighter times ahead for AFC Telford

• Andy Sinton delighted by AFC Telford confidence booster