Pitchero Non League

Supporters reacted to last week’s defeat at Farnborough by criticising Gray on internet forums, with talk of a possible protest after last Saturday’s home game against Truro City should Town lose again.

Several posters accused the Basingstoke boss of employing negative tactics against Farnborough, who scored a last minute winner to prevent the game ending 0-0, while others questioned his commitment to the job.

Gray said: “Some people seem to think that we don’t care but we do – probably twice as much as they do. It’s even more frustrating for us when things do not go well.

“Not many sides will have more attacking players than we did on Saturday. We had three out and out forwards, with Shaun McAuley supporting them and two of the most attacking full-backs in the league. We certainly had enough attacking players in the side to give Farnborough problems.

“People can write what they like and have opinions but that is what happens when you lose a game. There were only three or four comments when we won against Eastleigh and now we have lost there are hundreds – but we cannot take any notice of that and must continue trying to do things the best way we see fit.”

Despite last week’s defeat, Town remain just seven points outside the Blue Square Bet South play-off places.

Many of the sides pushing for a place in the top five are faltering at the moment, with none of the seven sides immediately above ninth-placed Basingstoke winning on Saturday.

“If you look back over the years there is always one team that goes on a good run and gets into the play-offs and we have to make sure it is us,” Gray added. “If anyone in the pack we are in can show consistency they could find themselves up there in that spot we are all looking for.

“We need to get a bit of consistency back and that is what we will be looking for between now and the end of the season. We’ll just concentrate on the next game, prepare right and try everything to pick up three points.”

The next game is a visit from 11th-placed Truro. Town won 5-2 when the sides met in Cornwall earlier in the season but Truro will be looking to build on a 2-1 victory over Staines last weekend.

“It’s a big game and we are hoping to go on a winning run at home between now and the end of the season,” Gray said. “We need to show the same attitude and work-rate that we did against Eastleigh.

“We have got to stand up to their direct style of play and put them under as much pressure as possible. It’s possible that we might change things tactically if they play 4-4-2 but it depends on the injury situation.”

Town will be without suspended duo Wes Daly and David Pratt – but Matt Warner is back in contention after returning from a business trip to America.

On-loan forward Giuseppe Sole provides extra options in attack, while Gray has his fingers crossed that striker Tim Sills will recover from a knee injury.

“Tim is improving quicker than we thought he would and we are hoping he improves enough to play,” Gray said. “He certainly thinks there is a slight chance but we will see.”

Tags: News | Basingstoke Town

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