Ford has big decisions to make ahead of crucial tie

The Puritans have made an excellent start to life back in the top tier of the Evo-Stik Southern League.

But it’s been a period of transition for the Puritans with several of last season’s promotion winning squad moving on and new players coming in as Ford builds a squad he feels is up to the demands of premier division football.

He said: “The squad is better equipped now to deal with the demands at this level so I don’t expect any more changes at the moment.

“I have to make changes which I feel think will improve the squad. Sometimes that means players moving on and others coming in to replace them.

“I don’t want to settle for us being a mid-table team. If I had settled for that I wouldn’t have made the changes to the squad which I’ve made.

“I think we are better in all the areas I have made changes. We’re in a better position now and I’ve got a good squad.

“It’s not easy to attract players and it’s not just a case of agreeing terms with a player to get him. They have to want to make the move as well.”

And Ford will be doing all he can to make sure his side eradicate the errors which are costing goals and points ahead of Saturday’s Buildbase FA Trophy tie with Bishops Cleeve.

He said: “We’ve lost two games in 13 and conceded 13 goals in those games. Ten of those goals have come from a set-piece or a throw-in, we’re not being undone in open play.

“We don’t see things quickly enough and manage the situation which is frustrating for me. We’ve got a big tie coming up and I need to pick the right team to get through.”