Dan Preston is backed by AFC Telford boss
AFC Telford United boss Liam Watson today vowed to keep faith with their 5-3-2 formation and defender Dan Preston at Bradford Park Avenue on Saturday.
The Bucks operated with three centre-backs in last weekend's 1-0 defeat at home to Harrogate Town, their first reverse of the season.
Wes Baynes and Matthew McGinn operated as wing-backs with Preston, Neill Byrne and captain Simon Grand forming the defensive trio in the middle.
Preston's stray pass led to the winner in his first league outing of the campaign, but the ex-Birmingham City man will get another chance in the Skrill Conference North on Saturday.
The 21-year-old is one of the few players left from the disastrous Conference Premier relegation that preceded Watson's arrival in May, but has impressed with his attitude and application.
That will keep Preston in the team that will step out at the Horsfall Stadium, as Telford look to bounce back from the Harrogate loss.
Watson said: "Dan gave the ball away for the goal, but it's one mistake. I thought he showed a fair bit of leadership. I will always say he's never been a minute's problem to me.
"He's trained his socks off, accepted my decisions, got on with it and waited for his chance. He will stay in the team on Saturday, 100 per cent.
"There were question marks about his temperament and character when I came here, but I can't speak highly enough of him."
Despite being beaten by Harrogate, Telford, arguably, produced a better performance than in their previous five games which yielded three wins and two draws previously.
That's what has buoyed Watson into sticking with the system for the clash with Bradford.
The Bucks boss could even name an unchanged side despite midfielder Russell Benjamin being sent off against Harrogate, as his three-match ban doesn't take effect until two weeks after his dismissal.
Watson said: "I thought last weekend was the best we have played so far. At the start of the season, it's all about tinkering with the team and getting things right.
"We created more chances than we had done in the previous games put together. Anyone who witnessed that performance would agree it's bonkers to change it."
