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Jay’s Friday Briefing

Jay Saunders by David Couldridge 2022-23

“What could be harder about this one is we’re expected to win” - Jay

We welcome Concord Rangers to Longmead looking to extend the unbeaten run to eight games in league and cup football.

Manager Jay Saunders said: "It'll be a tough afternoon.  Down there we were good on the night, especially first half, and didn't take our chances and got punished second half.  They're a team down there but I know their manager Rob Small well, they'll be well organised, tough to beat, they've got players like Ricky Modeste, who you all know, and Mo Bettamer, and they've picked up some good results.  

"It's different from when we've played St Albans and Worthing, who were flying, and people didn't expect us to get much.  I suppose there's more pressure on us, we're expected to get the win, but those games aren't always easy.  They're a threat, they have players who can hurt you and are solid defensively, but it's about us and it's important we continue the form we're on."

A win could put Tonbridge within a point of the play-offs, so how realistic is it to finish seventh and take that last play-off place?

Jay said: "At the start I said let's try and push for the play-offs.  If we hit a run of form and hit a bit of consistency, like we have, we're going to lose a game sooner or later and then, when we do, it's how quickly we can get on another run.  Farnborough have got games in hand.  If they win them they'll go in the play-offs comfortably.  Everyone's beating everyone.  No-one's really dropping out, and no-one's quite breaking into the play-offs, but we're in a good position, with two points more than we got the whole of last season, we've done really well.  And at this stage of the season we're not where we are due to luck, it's because we've done well.  We'll keep pushing and who knows."

Regarding team news, Jay said: "Exactly the same squad as last week, no incomings, no outgoings.  It's nice and settled and we've got some good decisions to make which is what I like."



Published Friday 17th February 2023