Day 266

We’re being touted as “comfortable favourites” for tomorrow’s home game against Bath, but the odds strike me more as “slight favourites.” In any case, we have a point to prove following defeat at the weekend. My players tend to respond well to surprise losses, so I’m hoping for a big show. We beat Bath 4-1 in the reverse fixture back in November, with goals from Woods, Olembé, and Gowling.

My Reserves hosted Bodmin in a friendly match today. I put Halstead and Russell in for their first run-outs since returning from long-term injuries. Fringe players Sam Smith, Chris Atkinson, Nicky Nicolau, Jean-François Christophe, Karlton Watson, and Paul Robson all started, along with youngsters Will Rawdon, Karl Cunningham, and Sam Hancock—the latest recruit with potential.

It took less than five minutes for Smith to open the scoring, running onto a long ball and slipping his shot through between the keeper and the near post.

Karlton Watson made it two after 49 minutes, showing fine anticipation and desire to attack the ball from deep and nod it in from close range.

Hancock added the third ten minutes later with a brilliant volley from Russell’s right-wing cross.

I was pleased to see Russell performing so well on his first game back. With Shuker injured we need Russell to provide his excellent wing play off the bench as soon as possible. It was great to see young Hancock playing so comfortably with the senior lads, too. I’m thinking about giving him a run off the bench for the first team before the end of the season now.