Shropshire Star

Rob Edwards tells AFC Telford players to take risks

Rob Edwards has called on AFC Telford United to take risks at Alfreton Town tonight, warning: “Don’t be safe.”

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The Bucks go into the match three points from safety in National League North.

It is one off 11 games left to get out of trouble. They have lost their last two, and Edwards said: “We need to make things happen more and force the issue.

“Have that shot, be the one that gets that goal, don’t be safe.

“Other teams do it to us so we need to do it to them. We need to try and build some momentum and get ourselves out of trouble.”

After their trip up to Bradford Park Avenue was called off on Saturday, the Telford players were called in for an extra training session. It was the 10th Saturday without a game since the start of December.

Edwards went to watch Leamington – who the Bucks face at home on April 2, having beat them 3-0 away – win 1-0 against Nuneaton Town.

Alfreton are four points ahead of Telford, 17th in the table, heading into tonight’s game.

“The spirit amongst the players is good,” said Edwards.

“We went through some analysis on Thursday – we’ve got things we can improve on and the reaction in training was excellent.

“They were showing fight and determination – it was aggressive in a good way.

“Last Tuesday at Southport was disappointing, we weren’t outclassed in any way but we were disappointing in important moments of the game so it was frustrating.”

Still having 11 games left to play at this point of the season is unusual.

The series of postponements means the Bucks are in for a very busy run-in and injuries and suspensions could become an issue over the coming weeks.

“We’ve got a big build up of games now but we can’t do anything about it, it’s out of our control,” added Edwards.

“It’s the same for a lot of teams so we just have to get on with it.”

Telford also have one eye on Saturday’s big home clash with Darlington as groundsman Mick Conway has been busy clearing snow off the pitch.

The Bucks won the reverse fixture against the Quakers 1-0 early on in the campaign.