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Tonbridge Angels manager Jay Saunders looking at the market after frustrating start to National League South season

05:00, 31 August 2023

Jay Saunders is considering changes to his squad in a bid to get Tonbridge firing.

Angels have scored only three goals in six National League South matches this season.

Action from Tonbridge’s National League South match at Yeovil. Picture: David Couldridge
Action from Tonbridge’s National League South match at Yeovil. Picture: David Couldridge

They lost 2-0 at Yeovil and 1-0 at home to Welling over the Bank Holiday weekend and rarely looked like scoring.

In summer signings Stefan Payne and Ibby Akanbi, boss Saunders feels he has the right players in attack.

But the service hasn’t hit the standards he expects, with the quality not yet there despite 28 crosses going into the Welling box at Longmead on Monday.

“We weren’t good enough in the final third, and we haven’t been since the start of the season,” said Saunders.

“We had enough possession to get back in the game on Monday but it was pointless possession - we never hurt them.

“We put 28 crosses in their box and didn’t score.

“That’s the story of our season so far and something we’ve got to put right. We’ve scored three in six games.

“You’ve got to turn possession into goals and at the moment we aren’t doing that. It was the same at Yeovil. We had loads of possession in the second half but we’ve not scored.

“They said you’re one of the best sides we’ve played but it’s easy for them to say that when they’ve won the game.

“It’s something we’re working on.

“Either the players have got to start producing or we’ll have to look at other options, which we are doing.

“I said all along we had to replace Jordan Greenidge and Jack Wood’s goals, and Devonte Aransibia got a few as well.

“I felt we had boys who could do that but at the moment we’re not scoring.

“It’s the end product, the final ball, it’s not there for us.

Tonbridge lost 2-0 at Yeovil last weekend. Picture: David Couldridge
Tonbridge lost 2-0 at Yeovil last weekend. Picture: David Couldridge

“I feel we’ve got strikers who can score in Ibby and Payney but at the moment the service into them is very poor and that’s something we’ve got to deal with.

“We’ve improved defensively this season but we’ve got to get goals.

“If it doesn’t click, you look to strengthen those areas.

“If people can’t produce what you bring them to the club for, then you look at other players.

“People might say that’s silly but that’s how I’ve always done it and if there’s someone out there who I think can give us what we’re looking for, then I’ll try to make that happen.

“We’re speaking to a few players and hopefully by the weekend we might have one or two in, whether that’s loans or permanents. It might be the case that one or two go out.”

Tommie Fagg has joined Isthmian Premier leaders Chatham on loan, with Saunders unable to guarantee him a starting place.

Tonbridge visit bottom side Slough on Saturday (3pm), followed by Braintree at home on Tuesday night (7.45pm).

“Slough haven’t had the start they’d have liked,” said Saunders.

“I know Scott (Davies, manager) and Tony (Fontenelle), his assistant, and they’re good guys.

“I don’t think they’ll be down the bottom for long.

“It’s a tricky place to go. It’s one of the older 3G pitches but they try and play the right way and if you’re not on it, they can cause you a lot of problems.

“We’ve got to get in tonight (Thursday) and have a good training session and get that frustration out.

“These games we’ve lost, we’ve not been battered. I know we’re not far off.”

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