Jerry’s thoughts ahead of the Hemel game

Welcome back to Twerton Park for this evening’s game vs an in-form Hemel side. My welcome is extended to Brad, his staff, players and supporters, we hope they have a safe journey to and from Bath this evening.

For us we have just come out of a wonderful month in terms of performances and points on the board. We have now kept 8 clean sheets since the turn of the year and only last week kept back-to-back clean sheets on the road at difficult places to go.

I cannot praise the group of players enough in how they have shown such resilience and professionalism during this period. We are still in the middle of a run of games that’s sees us play Saturday/Tuesday which is so demanding for us all as a group.

Because of injuries in the group we have been left with only 11 fit senior players over the past few weeks, so the return in points are remarkable really.

Some of the individuals are being asked to play in unfamiliar roles week in week out but they just get on with it and do a fantastic job for the team.

I want to give a special mention to Jack Batten, who was last week rewarded with the Player-of-the Month award. Jack is in what I have called his best form I have ever seen him. He has taken on a senior leadership role on and off the field within the group but it’s performances on the pitch that have really caught the eye.

The system we have been playing seems to have really clicked for the group. Relationships are growing on the pitch and some of the recent patterns along with a tight out-of-possession shape have been excellent.

We have put ourselves in to a good position in the league by not putting too much pressure on the group. We have literally taken each game in front of us and worked hard in our detail and preparation going into them. The players are the ones who then have been delivering.

Tonight sees both sides locked together on the same points and games played. We know it’s like every other game in the NLS, a tough challenge but one we are looking forward to and think we can do well in.

We need to create an atmosphere our players can thrive in and use in their performance tonight.

Show positivity and enthusiasm when you enter the stadium. Be a support and encourage, whatever the state of the game maybe. This group of players deserve that for what they have been giving for our football club

Jerry