Weymouth director of football Des Bulpin is hoping injuries won’t make it three defeats in a row for the Terras, as his beleaguered side travel to King’s Lynn tomorrow in the Dr Martens Premier Division, kick-off 3pm.
Key midfielder Michael Dean is back in contention after missing Tuesday’s derby cup clash against Dorchester.
But club skipper Alex Browne is out and there will be latedecisions on Martin Underhay and Darren Rowbotham, who are suffering back and neck injuries sustained at work. Jason Rowbotham is suspended.
With leaders Crawley just four points ahead and without a game tomorrow, the Terras could close the gap to one point if they overcome their injury problems, but straight-talking Terras director of football Bulpin was far from laying down his arms.
But he admitted with question marks hanging over several players’ fitness, the sick list could prove decisive in tomorrow’s game.
Bulpin said: “The whole division is full of very good teams and every game is difficult. King’s Lynn away is a hard game. The league will be won by the team that makes the least mistakes. What we can say is we’re in the race and now we need to pick up some points.”
Terras fans were distraught after the team turned in one of its worst performances for years, going 4-0 down to Chesham United to crash out of the FA Umbro Trophy last Saturday.
Just three days later they failed to beat old adversaries Dorchester Town in the Dr Martens League Cup.
“We lost that Dorchester game to two magnificent free-kicks,” said Bulpin. “I don’t think the past week has had any negative effect on the players. When you make changes at a club, people have to adjust. I’m feeling the players out and they’re feeling me out.”
He welcomed having had the chance to meet some of the fans at a forum held at the club on Wednesday evening. More than 80 supporters gathered for a question and answer session on Bulpin’s idea of the club’s future.
He said: “It went exceptionally well. When you have a problem, you have to confront it head on. Some of the fans thought I wanted to play long-ball football but I don’t. The meeting cleared a lot of air.
“The most important thing is that the fans are happy and we are winning games. The manager is insignificant really.
“We need the fans behind the team.”
n Weymouth Reserves are looking to continue their winning ways when they face Eastleigh at the Wessex Stadium, kick-off 3pm.
Boss Dave Kiteley said: “It’ll be a tough game. We’ve got two men – Carl Mutch and Simon Critchell – who are playing for the county and we could be losing players to the first team depending on their injury list.”
Terras Reserves (from): Gadsby, Wisden, Graham, Basterfield, Walker, Bews, Lambert, Sajik, Von, Nicholson, Dolbear, Von, K Critchell, Aldous, N Walker.
