Liam Watson eyes a happy Non-League Day
Manager Liam Watson freely admits AFC Telford United need to make it a happy Non-League Day for their supporters at home to Dover tomorrow.
The Bucks are one of only three sides yet to register a Conference Premier victory after six games, with visiting Dover off the mark but still just two points ahead.
Home teams up and down the land are imploring football fans to support non-league clubs during the international break, with the upper echelons out of action.
And Watson wants to deliver for the Bucks' faithful and the added spectators with three points, less than 24 hours after England under-20s play Romania in a friendly on the ground.
He said: "We need to win tomorrow, to give everyone a lift. If we can do that, all of a sudden everything looks a lot rosier in the garden. It's become really important for us.
"We have tried to attack in all of our home games, the only thing is we haven't defended well enough. We need to be a bit more conservative and make sure we don't give away a soft goal.
"We have done there in virtually every home game, which puts you under pressure even if you are creating lots of chances."
Watson will bring in new signing Josh O'Keefe, borrowed on a month's loan from Kidderminster Harriers this week, into the team.
Telford's 'Mr Reliable' Chris Lever will also be named in the starting line-up, the defending yet to play this season because of a hamstring problem.
But the Bucks boss has doubts over midfielder Mike Grogan, who is touch and go with a shoulder injury, although Charlie Barnett is available to rejoin the squad after personal issues.
Watson said: "Whether Mike will be fit, I don't know. He's been struggling since the Southport game, so he's been for a n X-ray to eliminate any chance of a fracture.
"I gave Charlie 10 days off for personal reasons and it wouldn't be fair to him to touch too much on that, but he's back training now and we hope he's a lot better.
"Josh will make a difference and he's the type of person who will run through brick walls for you. He's a good lad, I had him at Southport after he left Lincoln and he did well.
"I have got Lever back, too, which puts me somewhere where I am happy defensively. He will play, as will Josh."
