Liam Watson targets left-back for AFC Telford
AFC Telford United manager Liam Watson will step up his chase for a left-back this week after making the decision to ditch most of his current options.
The Bucks boss transfer listed Chris Lever and Andy Owens this week and, if they depart, only centre-back Rod McDonald remains to fill the position.
With that in mind, Watson has identified a target from a league rival he wants to bring to the New Bucks Head, a player he hasn't worked with before.
He is also ready to show the door to right-back Wes Baynes, also put up-for-sale this week, and has brought in former Birmingham City defender Ryan Higgins to fill the breach.
He signed non-contract forms in time to be available for his Conference Premier debut at Halifax Town today, with Watson taking action believing his side are getting killed in the wide areas.
Further upfield, he will be able to call upon Sean Cooke again after this weekend, with the right winger having served a three-match suspension for a red card at Gateshead.
Cooke was distraught after getting his marching orders for, when on as a substitute, he lunged wildly at JJ O'Donnell. He's been brought back in from the cold after being transfer-listed last season.
Watson said: "It was a badly timed tackle, but I wouldn't say it was malicious. He will learn from it. He probably wants to play more, but we haven't really had a settled side.
"And it's hard to fit in flair players when we knew we have just got to battle, but we will see how that progresses over the course of the season."
The only bright spark from rock-bottom Telford's dismal start to the season has been Mike Phenix, the winger netting five times already despite the team's struggles.
It's his first season at the level, but he wants more goals and reckons he should be making double figures for the campaign.
Phenix said: "At the start of the season, I didn't set a target as I didn't think I'd be playing up front as much as I have been.
"But the gaffer has said to me that I should be looking to get 10-15 goals this season. Hopefully, I can get that or, at least, double figures and if I do then you never know."
