‘Not their fault’: Langmead protects ‘naive’ young Banbury United defenders following ‘mistakes’
Kelvin Langmead has jumped to the defence of his youthful back four, claiming they were never intended to be thrown in at the deep end amid Banbury United’s poor form.
The Puritans are on a run of seven games without a win despite taking the lead in several fixtures. Avoidable defensive mistakes have often contributed to giving up points.
Ordinarily, Langmead would be able to depend on the experience, leadership and command of captain Yaw Ofosu at centre-half, but the skipper has been injured for several months.
Albeit getting closer to a return, Ofosu is yet to reach full fitness and so Langmead has had to utilise his young and up-and-coming players instead.
Central defender Otis Castle, as an example, was signed on a dual registration with Kidlington FC and the 22-year-old was expected to make the odd appearance here and there to aid his development.
Instead, Castle has been an almost guaranteed starter in defence. And, although he has certainly had some really impressive games, he has been among those to make errors.
Similar can be said about fellow youngsters Harrison Mole, Jacob Scott and Finn Howell. Mole and Scott started Banbury’s recent 2-1 defeat to Leiston.
“We’ve got an incredibly young back four and none of them were brought in to be playing in a young back four,” Langmead admitted to the Banbury Guardian after that loss.
“Things have transpired in the way that they have and that’s not their fault. We’re lacking experience in there, it was never my thoughts to bring in a back four as young as we are.
“I popped Josh (Cavallo, midfielder) in there for a bit more experience and he did well. But they are naturally making naive mistakes.
“But that’s part of their learning, they’re brought here to develop and to learn. We’ve also had some bad luck with injuries, so we’ve got to help them.”
This was meant to be a season of progression for the Puritans, however they currently find themselves on the brink of the Southern League Premier Central relegation zone.
But it’s still very early days and Langmead hopes the returns of some key players from injury, as well as some possible new signings, will propel Banbury up the standings.
That could also help relieve pressure on his young defenders.