Curtis Strong: AFC Telford need sharp start against Blyth Spartans

The Bucks are fresh off a 3-0 win at Leamington on Monday but have lost all three of their games at the New Bucks Head so far this term.

Those defeats came at the hands of Brackley Town, Salford City and Bradford Park Avenue – and they fell behind in the first half in each.

Wing-back Strong insists they cannot afford another sluggish start, and said: “The performances and results at home have not been good enough.

“Obviously that needs to change and we need to give the supporters something to shout about.

“We need to make it difficult from the word go and show teams that we can be a force at home.

“The aim is to build the New Bucks Head into a bit of fortress, make it difficult for teams to come here and pick up anything although we haven’t managed to so far.”

The journey from Blyth to Telford is four hours long – 230 miles.

Strong believes that lengthy journey plays into the need to come flying out of the blocks, looking to catch the away side cold.

“We need to use the travel to our advantage,” he said.

“Blyth may come here feeling tired and leggy, especially if they travel on the day, and we need to pick up on that and get at them early doors.

“We are hungry, and we need to take the game to teams straight away – worry about winning the battle first, and then look to play.”

Strong’s start at Leamington was his first of the season.

The 21-year-old, who came through the ranks at Stoke City, was signed this summer has been built back up gradually after he missed the whole of last season for league rivals Tamworth with a severe knee injury.

He says he is glad to have not rushed anything after such a serious injury, and praised boss Rob Edwards and physio Jake Roe for the time they have took to make sure everything is alright.

“Personally, I am glad to have made my first start on Monday,” said Strong.

“We took it slow with getting back playing – me, Rob and Jake – but I am feeling strong now.

“It was not my best of performances but I got 75 minutes under my belt.

“I am really looking to build on that now and raise the bar in terms of my performances.”

Strong knows, though, the fact he started in Monday’s 3-0 win does not mean he is guaranteed to be in the first 11 this time around.

He spoke of the competition among the young squad, and added: “We are a young team and we are hungry to do well.

“On Monday, after Jas (Singh) and Shane (Sutton), I think the oldest player was 22.

“There is a lot of competition for places and everybody has to be performing at their best to be in the team.

“We are all pulling in the same direction and pushing each other in training – it is a squad game.”

John Marsden (ankle) was set to train last night and may be in the squad. Jack Rea (ankle) and Chekaine Steele (hamstring) will not be involved.