Gloucester City are just five points adrift of the relegation zone and have won just once in their last nine encounters, so how can they turn their season on its head?The Tigers didn’t play on the weekend, but return to action this coming Saturday, when travelling to Havant and Waterlooville. Marc Richards’ men are currently in 19th place in the National League South and have endured a torrid run of form recently.
So, what is needed to be done for the Tigers to turn their season around?
Re-discover form from last season
One win in nine says it all really. Gloucester City are deprived of any sort of confidence, and have really struggled to get to grips with National League South since their switch from the National League North – their last win coming on New Year’s day, as they defeated Oxford City 3-0 on their travels.
The Tigers have been in stuttering form all season, and have struggled to find get any points on the board. However, if they can put together a run of good results, there is no reason why they can’t turn their season around, especially given their successful season in National League North, finishing 10th.
Find a way to stop leaking goals
The Tigers have conceded far too many goals this season and if they’re to turn their season around, they need to improve defensively. So far this season, the Tigers have conceded a total of 42 goals in just 25 games, keeping just three clean sheets in the process. Gloucester City conceded 61 goals in the entire of last season, and they’re on course to surpass that this season.
Inexperience hasn’t helped the Tigers defensively this season, but they certainly have a lot talent in their back-line, including Kieran Thomas, who impressed throughout their campaign last season to help them push for a play-off spot, before fallen short.
Become a force going forward
Gloucester City’s top scorer this season is Joe Parker, and he has seven goals to his name – the Tigers in all, have 30 goals so far this season in 25 outings and that is something which will need to be enhanced upon if they’re to avoid a relegation scrap this season.
The loss of one of the fan favourites in the form of Zack Kotwica hasn’t helped their case as the tricky forward completed a move to Tamworth last November, but nobody other than Parker has really stood up to the challenge and their next top scorer is midfielder Ed Williams, making a case for what areas the Tigers could improve on in the January market.
NEW SIGNING | @ZackKotwica_ hit double figures in @TheNationalLge North last season, and recently netted 5 in 5 for @SalisburyFC during a brief loan spell! #COYL pic.twitter.com/np3xtrnh0n
— Tamworth FC (@tamworthfc) November 24, 2017
Get fans back on their side
There have been tough times which Tigers fans have had to put up with over the past few seasons, moving from ground to ground, and it is vitally important that Richards’ men get their fans back on their side as they could act as a 12th man to help them steer away from the relegation zone.
Tim Harris quit as manager just a few months following a successful spell with the National League South outfit, and there have been more negatives than positives this season. However, a win Saturday over Havant and Waterlooville could be absolutely essential in re-energising their season and putting smiles back on the Gloucester City fans faces.
