or, like most teams, have we just been experiencing a sticky patch? I would say the former if our squad wasn’t as strong as it is but when I look at what we have and also consider the players yet to return from injury I’m cautiously optimistic.

I believe there are two reasons for our recent alarming dip in form. Firstly (and most importantly) I really don’t think it’s a coincidence that the string of poor results began around the time when the latest Lee Trundle rumours linked the Scouse striker with his beloved Everton. Now I’m not being funny but if I heard that either the Swans or the Gooners were interested in a 40 year-old, jet-heeled Landore winger then my form for the RTB outfit would certainly be indifferent at the very least, though I’d secretly hope that club supreme and popular Clydach tycoon Tony Nakonecznyj would do everything in his power to keep me at Landore. Trunds is human after all and you have to feel for the squeaky trickster after having his hopes dashed as the big hand hit the number 12 on the last day of January.

Then came his hamstring injury to prolong his absence and the team struggled. I believe the second reason for our bad patch is due to the new personnel at the club. Now I’m not saying for one minute that Kenny has signed poorly – on the contrary, I think that with the exception of Gary Fiskin, Jackett has, on the whole, made some absolutely fantastic signings. It was just always going to be difficult to continue without disruption when new players come into the dressing room. Imagine the egos on show.

 I’m sure that stories of alleged confrontations and cliques aren’t all true but there’s no smoke without fire and I can imagine Trunds wasn’t too happy when new £125,000 signing Leon Knight hit a superb hat trick on his debut. With regard to the other new signings, I think Darren Way is a shrewd acquisition and when fit should be one of the first names on Kenny’s teamsheet. Rory Fallon has already won more in the air in a couple of matches than all our other strikers put together all season and Tom Williams has the sweetest left foot at the club since Jimmy Hadziabdic.

We’ve been desperately unlucky with dismissals, injuries and in conceding last-minute goals and really needed a turning point to re-ignite the smouldering embers of our promising season. I really believe this duly arrived last Friday night when Robbo’s cross-shot went in off the post.

All roads now lead to Nottingham today when we meet Forest which now takes on the added significance of being the most important away match of the season. If we can come away from the Trent with a result then I think we would have really put our troubles behind us and be able to again focus on grabbing on of those top two automatic places.

The result at Carmarthen on Wednesday will have done the squad no harm at all as winning can become such a habit and I think it’s encouraging to see us doing well in both the FAW Trophy and the LDV Vans Trophy cup competitions. Here’s to the double of a Millennium Stadium appearance and automatic promotion.

Ianto

 You can comment on this article by visiting the guestbook