Boss won't apologise as change of style brings AFC Telford results

AFC Telford United boss Kevin Wilkin won’t apologise for a pragmatic change of style that has yielded back-to-back 1-0 wins.

The Bucks didn’t always strike the balance between defence and attack last season, and their free-scoring style often led to goals at both ends.

Their last two results have gone against that grain, but have brought Wilkin’s men their first two National League North victories of the season after a six-match winless start.

“If that's how we have to play to earn some results and grow from there, then that might have to be the case, but they've been brilliant, staying together,” said Wilkin. “Not winning in six games is a challenge for everybody at the club. I've never started a season like that.

“I think there are games we deserved more out of that we haven't got, and sometimes you have to be honest with yourself and keep doing the right things, and hopefully you get a break or two, and maybe we have over these last couple of games.”

Last Saturday’s victory at Scarborough Athletic lifted spirits and belief, although Wilkin made it clear his side hasn’t been feeling sorry for themselves, and that continued hard work has been and will remain the key.

“I couldn't speak highly enough of the lads and the way they've worked and continued to work and dig in for each other,” he said, having then beaten leaders Oxford City at home on Tuesday. “It was a great journey back on the bus on Saturday.

“To build on that now is really special for all of us after the difficult start that we've had, and nobody's getting carried away with it.

“We know we've got a lot of work to do and there's lots of areas that we can improve on, but if we can get maybe a body or two into the group now and possibly, and one or two of those back from injury.

“We’ve just got a better look about us and a better feel about us and hopefully we can continue to build on these last two results.”

Wilkin’s hint at having further options available refers to both players returning from injury and adding to his group, and one of his recent additions drew Wilkin’s praise.

“We need a deeper squad, and I've said that,” added the boss. “I've obviously moved a few out now, and we’re just trying to grow that situation. We've identified a couple we'd like to try to bring into the group.

“I thought Kian (Ryley, on loan from Solihull) coming in and getting off the bench like he did was exactly what we needed in that moment for the last 15, 20 minutes. He ran his socks off.”

A registration hiccup meant Ryley couldn’t feature last weekend, but his approach delighted the Bucks boss: “Credit to the lad; the paperwork hadn't gone through on Saturday, and he still turned up and immersed himself in the group, and that alone, showing that attitude and wanting to be on that bus, is a big thing for me, and I think a big thing for our group as well.”