Blog: AFC Telord still lacking that clinical edge

If we had the clinical edge in front of goal, we would have been out of sight, as it was, the Barrow boys who were much more comfortable in possession, knocked the ball around well, passed and moved in their defensive third and in the midfield, just didn't have the quality final ball.

Somehow we managed to get to some of the second balls as they dropped and were able to fashion a few chances, that in all honesty, we should have done better with, but our nerves really got the better of us, with all too often, resorting to a long pump up field, playing into the hands of the opposition.

Our ball retention really does seem to be our biggest enemy at the moment, when we allow every team to come to the New Bucks Head to keep the ball under very little pressure and see them work little triangles and move purposefully towards our goal, as we sit deeper and deeper. There is no wonder why fans get frustrated.

During our impressive run of form, we took games to the opposition, we went toe to toe with them. Now we appear to have retreated into our shells, because we are dropping off and playing deeper, our two in midfield are getting over run. Our 'get out' players' confidence seems absolutely shot to pieces and the link from central midfield to our attack seems missing, as they too are having to sit deeper.

The return of Steve Jones at the weekend gives us a welcome boost. Hopefully it will enable us to try something a bit different. I would like to see Spray up front on his own, but with Richard Davies' drive and energy providing the missing link between the midfield and attack. I would also freshen us up down the flanks, Kris Taylor gives us the work rate, and willingness to put his foot in, in the tackle as well as put his foot on the ball.

On the other side, I would look to employ Steve Jones, where he seems to be at his most dangerous, leaving Nathan Rooney and Phil Trainer to pull the strings more in the centre.

The frustrating thing for me is, we do seem to have greater quality in the squad this year, but the way we are being set up, isn't allowing us to play with the freedom and verve we can do. We've now nearly had 18 months in the Conference Premier and seem to persist in using Plan A: 4-4-2. Let's really take the bull by the horns and do something different, we can't go through the whole of the season allowing teams to play around us at will.

Our foundations at the back are good enough for a mid table finish at the very least. Where we need to be looking to change things around, or improve are in the areas further forward. I think it's more a case of changing the formula, than the personnel. Unless of course we do find a guaranteed 25-goal-a-season striker that only wants to play for us – for the half time orange and packet of Quavers!

It's not that we are a million miles away, we just need to be a bit more proactive on the playing side – and if that doesn't happen, reactive.

Off the field, real attempts are being made to improve the experience and to generate the lost revenue since returning 'home'. Now it's up to the manager to tackle the issues on the playing side to ensure we have the right combinations, the right formula and the right desire in those that he sends across the white line!

C'mon boys and girls! Let's get along to Hyde on Saturday - it's not a million miles away - and roar the team on!