AFC Telford boss Rob Edwards searching for a physical edge
Boss Rob Edwards has called on his AFC Telford United players to toughen up, declaring: “There’s quite a few that need to work on that.”
The Bucks have gone four games without a win in all competitions. They lost 3-1 at FC United of Manchester on Saturday, where they were undone after being dragged into a physical battle.
“I think it is something we have all got to improve on,” said Edwards
“I thought that was one area where we looked a bit vulnerable on Saturday, on the counter-attack.
“We need to be more streetwise, we need to be able to be a bit more physical.
“There’s quite a few that need to work on that.”
Edwards wants Telford to be firm but fair, and said: “It’s game management.
“We want to try to dominate, in the opposition half – which is what we did a lot of the time on Saturday – but you have to be able to stop any form of counter-attack.
“There is a number of ways to do that, and the majority of them are tackling.
“It’s about pressing as well – if we press right, they’ll give us the ball back.
“I think our work rate, as soon as we lost it in the final third, could have been better on Saturday as well.”
Meanwhile, Edwards offered his thoughts on the debut of Max Leonard.
The 23-year-old played in the No.10 role at Broadhurst Park after signing from league rivals Curzon Ashton last week.
He progressed through the youth ranks at Huddersfield Town and has also had spells at Frickley Athletic and Glossop North End.
“He’s got some real quality and what we have to do is try to utilise it more,” added Edwards.
“He will get used to what we want as well.
“He has had one game with us at the moment – it is difficult to pick things up straight away. There were signs of quality there.”
