After Welling United’s Isthmian League Premier Division defeat at St Albans City, interim manager Rod Stringer expressed his thoughts.

“I thought that the boys had a decent battle and that a draw would have been a fair result.” he said We changed shape in the second half and I thought that we battered them. We’re massively disappointed, especially looking at the display. 

“We’ve just been done by two set pieces. In the first half we were a little bit hit and miss, off the pace of it, and the second half, there was only one team in it. I said to the boys in there, we’re not going to win games of football if we defend set pieces like that.” 

However, despite the result, he wasn’t upset with the performance. He continued “I was pleased with the spirit and the way that the players played. We haven’t got a big squad. We’ve gone and lost (Greg) Cundle today as well. It looks like he’s got a dislocated shoulder but I was pleased that the squad kept going right to the death.”

Despite the defensive areas, Welling had opportunities to get something out of the game and St. Albans were holding on. Stringer added “We’ve had three great chances in five minutes right at the end. In the second half, I don’t think our goalkeeper’s really had to make a save other than the set piece that’s put them two-one in front.

“I thought we started the second half really, really well. I changed shape and I felt that from that we really dictated the game. We’ve had some great balls in the box, we’ve had some great opportunities, and if it had worked today it would have been a master-stroke by myself and Jason (Maher).”

One of the things that Stringer wants to work on is that the Welling team can overplay at times, and take too many touches. He said: “We have a lot of quality. Sometimes. I think we have too much quality because we don’t do the basics well. We had so many opportunities today to keep feeding the wide players and we kept turning off the situations, tried to link it through. That’s okay if it comes off. If it doesn’t, then you’ve got a turnover.”

“I’d rather sit and support the play, get the ball into wide areas, tell people to get in the box and get some crosses in but on reflection, the pitch is lovely but it is quite long. When we did try and move it around today, the pace on the ball wasn’t right and a lot of the time it became a dodgy ball.”

Returning to the problem with Cundle, Stringer said: “It’s a real shame for Greg because he’s such a great footballer, he’s a good lad as well. I spoke to him last night and he thought that he had a little hammy (hamstring strain) in there so we thought we’d put him on the bench but when we changed our system I wanted to use him and I thought he looked really bright when he was on. 

“It looked like he was going to get us some chances and create things around the edge of the box and then it looked like a ball that he’s jumped for and their player’s given him a nudge and he’s landed on the wrong side of his arm. It doesn’t look good. When you’re down there it doesn’t go for you. We’re working with a very depleted squad. We had no Ruben today, he’s poorly, and the boys I’m asking to come off the bench are giving their all.”

Stringer was thankful for the Welling faithful who travelled and their reaction at the end demonstrated to him that they saw that the team had not lost through lack of trying. He confirmed: “The supporters have clapped us off today and that’s always an indication for me that we’ve always wore our heart on our sleeve and played for the shirt. Other than a little bit of lady luck in front of goal and a bit of better defending, we’d have certainly got something out of the game.”

Having now watched his side in competitive action for a couple of weeks, he has identified areas where improvement is required.

“There’s still a load going on behind the scenes to get the one or two in that we need.” he confirmed. “Hopefully, I’ve agreed terms with one who couldn’t play today. He’ll come in and bolster us up a bit more, and I still think we need another one or two before we’re going to start seeing consistency and winning games.” 

Logan Dobbs will be suspended until after next Saturday’s FA Trophy match and the following two league games. Stringer said: “We’ll have to try and get someone in for him, that’s what we’re trying to do, and Greg’s going to be out for a while now so we’ll have to see. It doesn’t get any easier.”

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.