AFC Telford aiming to Buck up their ideas at Tamworth

Two of those victories were against rock-bottom North Ferriby United, who are nowhere the level needed to compete in the division, writes Joe Edwards.

And the other triumph came against Tamworth, who the Bucks travel to tomorrow, at home back in November.

Things certainly are not rosy for Telford boss Rob Edwards and his players at the moment.

Confidence has been visibly low – and their spirits took another huge dent in the form of a disastrous 3-0 defeat to Curzon Ashton at the New Bucks Head on Tuesday night.

It was a woeful display from the hosts, especially in the second half, and left the Bucks fans seriously doubting whether this side is capable of beating the drop.

They are not alone in being downhearted, though.

The Lambs also lost 3-0 at home in midweek, to Blyth Spartans.

They have won a measly three of their last 19 games in the league.

Long-time chief Andy Morrell – who came on to score the winner in this fixture last campaign – has recently been given the boot, with Mike Fowler taking the reins.

He described the Blyth defeat as ‘not good enough’.

“It’s frustrating. That’s not what I’m accepting,” said Fowler.

“The standards were not good enough. You cannot gift people goals.

“There was too many errors, individual errors – balls going under people’s feet, misplacing passes.

“They are a good group, they want to do well. It has got to improve, and it’s got to improve fast.”

By those words, you would expect Tamworth to come flying out of the blocks on the artificial surface at the Lamb Ground tomorrow.

Telford will also be eager to start the game on the front foot, with one player in particular keen to impress.

Ellis Deeney joined the Bucks last month from the Lambs, where he admitted he had run his course.

The younger brother of Watford striker Troy, his showings are one of the few positive showings to speak of as of late.

He is yet to get on the scoresheet for Edwards’ charges, though.

And you will struggle to find a better time for Deeney to open his Telford account than tomorrow.

The Bucks should also have Elliot Newby and Jon Royle back fit for the encounter.

Winger Newby and midfielder Royle have been absent with hamstring and quad injuries over the past few weeks, with the former’s presence especially missed.

If he is ready to go, he should start. Royle may be better suited coming off the bench, if Telford are looking to shore things up later in the game.

Shrewsbury Town loanee John McAtee could well be in line for a start after a bright display as a substitute on Tuesday night.

Although an attacker by trade, he was deployed alongside Deeney in midfield and made a fair few tackles and accurate passes.

It is a tough situation to come into, but the 18-year-old appears to have a lot of talent. The Bucks need to start proving the doubters wrong – and they must do so quickly.