Rob Edwards: AFC Telford have the right blend
Rob Edwards insists there is the ‘right balance of youth and experience’ at AFC Telford United as he aims to welcome skipper Shane Sutton back to training.
The Bucks's side had a youthful look about it as they fought out a 1-1 draw against Southport on Saturday.
Goalkeeper Jas Singh, aged 27, was the oldest Telford player to feature. Three of the club’s more senior players, 27-year-old Sutton (knee) Jack Rea (ankle), 25, and John Marsden (ankle), 24, sat out due to injuries.
On whether having a youthful squad is by design, and if more experience was needed, Edwards said: “When you look at Jack, John, Shane – there is a lot of experience there.
“It’s by design. I want legs and young, impressionable, hungry players. We will maintain that.
“Of course, you need to have the right balance of youth and experience – and they are in there, in the squad. We are just missing one or two of them. We are hoping to get Shane back in training this week.”
He added: “We are always on the lookout but I’m delighted with what we have here.
"I think we have an exciting young group of players, they’re giving everything for the football club at the moment.”
Edwards knows having a couple more faces would be ideal, but is very happy with how his players are gelling.
“We are always on the lookout but I’m delighted with what we have here,” he said.
“I think we have an exciting young group of players, they’re giving everything for the football club at the moment.
“We just want everyone to keep getting behind the lads, as they have been doing.The lads really react well to the positivity around the place.”
Despite picking up four points from their last three games, Telford remain in touching distance of the play-offs – one point behind seventh-placed Tamworth.
“It’s very tight, I am trying not to look at it right now – we are aware of it, where we are,” Edwards said.
“There are a lot of teams that will feel that they can that sixth or seventh spot.”
He added: “We can’t think too much about that at the moment, it’s a process. Our league position is what it is at the moment.
“We have had a good run. Four points in a week is respectable – although it’s not wanted it’s certainly better than nothing – and performances have been good as well.”
Ross White starts a three-match suspension as the Bucks travel to Hereford in the FA Cup first round on Saturday.
