Telford players urged to earn their shirts

AFC Telford United assistant boss Larry Chambers has challenged the players to earn the shirt against Gloucester City at Whaddon Road tonight.

The Bucks head into the clash without Josh Wilson, who picked up a hamstring injury in the 3-1 loss at Gainsborough Trinity on Saturday.

Dave Hibbert and Darren Campion, who both picked up knocks, are also doubtful while Ben Bailey is suspended after being sent off at Northolme.

"The result was bad enough but Josh has now got a hamstring injury," said Chambers.

"Dave Hibbert took a knock to his knee and we picked up a red card with Ben Bailey. It was not a great day.

"We weren't defending properly or keeping the ball, it was a matter of time.

"There's a nucleus of six or seven who pick themselves week in, week out and up until the Gainsborough game had been playing well. Then you've got about four, five or six others who haven't put their name on the shirt."

Gloucester have really impressed in attack so far this season in the National League North having bagged 23 goals in nine games. Only AFC Fylde and Alfreton Town have scored more.

They beat Altrincham 5-0 on home soil on Saturday, with Luke Hopper netting his second hat-trick.

He has a total of nine goals and Gloucester have gone on to win each of the five games he has scored in.

Telford are yet to win on the road this season but Chambers is desperate for a response after the lacklustre performance at Gainsborough.

"We've changed the midfield and changed the strikers and we are always looking for a formation that is going to be consistent," he added.

"Against Gainsborough, it was nothing to do with a formation. It was down to individual performances.

"We lacked hunger and desire and at times we went through the motions.

"It was all about getting a consistent run of performances and at Gainsborough we took one step forwards and two steps back."