We didn't learn from our past mistakes (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

We didn't learn from our past mistakes

11:32am Thursday 5th March 2009

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We should have been 4-0 up by half-time against Hemel Hempstead on Tuesday but in the end it was like déjà vu.

When we played them last year we did exactly the same thing. We were dominant in the first half, could have been six or seven up but went on to lose 2-1 then as well.

I said to the lads at half-time they will not be that bad again for another 45 minutes.

It took time for them to get to grips with the way we were playing as I thought we moved the ball really well in the first half.

They came back at us after probably having had a rocket from their manager and that’s what happens.

I think a few players thought the job was done and that it was going to be easier than it was and it has cost them.

I told them at half-time the game should already have been put to bed but now the next goal is going to be crucial and you can’t drop your standards.

However they failed to listen and you’ve all seen what happened.

I chose not to bring on Iain Sercombe when chasing the game and I thought being more direct might play into their hands, as once we got the ball down and moved it in the first half they couldn't cope.

Ben Swallow hasn’t started a game for us since joining on loan from Bristol Rovers and it would have also been very difficult for him to come on and play on that wet pitch.

He’s a lad who likes to run with the ball and the conditions weren’t ideal for that style but we know the ability he has got.

Ben will be an asset to us and he will get his chance, possibly on Saturday when we travel to Banbury.

I’ve spoken to a few people and we know the pitch at their ground isn’t the best either so it is going to be a battle.

They went to the league leaders Farnborough last week and put in an excellent performance but didn’t quite get the result so we know it is going to be tough.

Sometimes this season going away to teams lower in the league we have struggled to get results.

We’ve had a setback this week by taking just one point when it could quite easily have been six and we must buck the trend. It’s time for everyone here to stand up and be counted once again.

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