Comment: Give AFC Telford trio another chance

After all, the Bucks have not won on the road since October 21 – a 2-0 win at rock-bottom North Ferriby United, writes Joe Edwards.

And their latest away effort was woeful, a 3-0 defeat at eighth-placed Southport on Tuesday night.

It is hard to see Rob Edwards’ side faring much better at the Horsfall Stadium, especially considering Mark Bower’s ninth-placed men were 4-1 victors in the reverse fixture in August.

Telford are third bottom, three points from safety in National League North and, based on recent evidence, seem destined for the drop. How has it come to this?

There are some talented players in the Bucks squad, but the team has been chopped and changed far too much.

In the early stages of the season, Edwards had a potentially potent front three on his hands in Marcus Dinanga, Anthony Dwyer and Elliot Newby.

Burton Albion loanee Dinanga was a handful through the middle with his pace and trickery.

Dwyer was a tricky customer down the right with his willingness to take on his marker at every turn, to get shots off or provide service for Dinanga. Newby proved effective on and off the ball down the left. There was a lot right with that attacking trio, but Edwards saw fit to change things around.

Former Wolves and Shrewsbury man Sylvan Ebanks-Blake was brought in – and soon let go.

In fairness, his record of four goals in seven games was decent, but Telford have not been the same since breaking up that frontline.

As soon as Ebanks-Blake left, Amari Morgan-Smith joined and has since been the Bucks’ No.9. He has scored a few goals but picked up a straight red card at Southport, meaning he will serve a three-match suspension.

Non-league rules mean Morgan-Smith can play at Avenue – as red cards take seven days to come into effect – but Edwards should grasp the opportunity to try to reignite the spark between Dinanga, Dwyer and Newby.

To his credit, despite being shifted to right-wing before dropping to the bench as of late, Dinanga remains Telford’s top scorer with 17 goals in all competitions.

Dwyer has, bizarrely, not been able to get in the squad recently.

He is the Bucks’ joint second-top scorer on six goals, tied with Jordan Murphy. Newby is the joint third-top scorer on five, tied with John Marsden.

Edwards’ intentions were good in switching things around – he wanted to keep the opposition guessing, to ensure everyone got a fair crack of the whip. But if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

At Southport, the forwards looked lost. Newby, Morgan-Smith and Murphy were constantly switching sides in attempt to bamboozle the Port defence, but only ended up tying themselves in knots.

Time is running out for Telford. Edwards brought in striker Kane Richards during the week, hoping he will provide the much-needed goals. Dinanga, Dwyer and Newby could be the answer to the Bucks’ problems, though. They just need another chance to impress.