Rob Edwards: Telford players must learn from sloppy starts
Rob Edwards has urged AFC Telford United to start games much better after a first half horror show proved costly as they lost 3-2 to Blyth Spartans.
Robert Dale, Daniel Maguire and Dale Hopson (penalty) all found the net for the visitors - in the space of eight minutes - in what was a wretched period for the Bucks.
They were far better after the interval, with Marcus Dinanga and Elliot Newby scoring, but ultimately fell to their fourth defeat from four National League North games at the New Bucks Head.
"We have got to play like that from the very beginning," said Edwards, who revealed Telford are signing ex-Aston Villa midfielder Henry Cowans.
"I know it's obvious to say so, but the first half performance was not acceptable.
"I seem to be saying the same things at the moment, I said the same last week (after 4-1 home loss to Bradford Park Avenue).
"I can't explain it right now. Fair play to them for performing and reacting in the second half, for showing character and showing how they can play.
"We need to do that from the beginning."
Telford go away to Nuneaton Town on Tuesday night (7.45pm kick-off), and will need to have that sharpness from the first whistle if they are to get a result.
Edwards said: "We need to go back and look at it again. Right now, it looked like they outworked us - simple as that.
"In the second half, we ran more and battled more - we won those battles, second balls, tackles, headers.
"We played in the right areas and caused them a lot of problems - but we didn't do it in the first half."
He added: "It's pretty simple. It comes down to energy and work rate, all the stuff we spoke about before the game.
"The players knew, but we didn't deliver."
