Davies eyes Worthing return after missing Slough Town's draw with Horsham

Scott Davies. Photo: Zak Rana

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Slough’s assistant boss Tony Fontenelle has called Saturday’s stalemate at home to Horsham a ‘snore draw’, however, he says that when you don’t play well enough to win, you mustn’t lose.

The Rebels came out of a dull game of football with another useful point, one which moves them 12 points clear of the relegation zone – even if that is becoming a rather distant concern.

“It was a bit of a snore draw to be honest,” said Fontenelle.

“As much as you set up to, you're never going to win every game of football you’re involved in, for a whole variety of reasons. We had to make a few enforced changes due to injuries and that changed our dynamic. And that’s nothing against the players who came in, but it changed the dynamic of how we attacked going forward.

“We also lost the experience of Scotty (Davies) at the back. It’s not only him playing but the information he gives to the players on the pitch. That was a massive blow for us.

“I just kind of felt that we played a little too safe. We like to play on the front foot and get at teams. That’s what makes our games so exciting.

“But by the same token, a few weeks ago we’d probably have conceded in that game and gone on to lose 1-0 or 2-0. So, we must take the positives in that it was another clean sheet and when you can’t win, it’s important that you don’t lose.”

If they can continue the form they’ve shown in recent months, they might yet put themselves in the frame for a remarkable play-off push – but that’s a big if, and they’d need to maintain the kind of form that’s put them second behind leaders Dorking Wanderers in the 10-match form table.

Repeat that over the next 10 games and they might be in the conversation, but assistant boss Fontenelle simply wants the team to maintain their focus and hunger in the closing months to achieve a top half finish.

They’ll hopefully have player manager Scott Davies back in the centre of defence for Saturday’s trip to Worthing – a team who’ve lost only once at home all season.

Davies reluctantly withdrew from the team for last weekend’s goalless draw with Horsham but was pleased to see Balu Makumbi grow into the game and play his way into form in his absence. The visitors had the better of the game’s few chances but couldn’t find their way past the Rebels’ well-drilled defence and goalkeeper Adam Desbois, who had another excellent game.

“With all due respect to Scotty, he’s got to look after himself,” said Fontenelle. “He’s in the twilight years of his playing career. As much as I call him Peter Pan, he won’t last forever and he’s had a twinge for the past couple of games. We’d picked up six points from those matches so I said to him, why would you want to risk a more serious injury. He’s got a tight hamstring, but by taking Saturday off, it might put him in a better position to be fit this weekend and be available.

“He made that decision, but I probably had an influence on him. If he picked up a prolonged injury because he wanted to play, I know he would be kicking himself and be even more frustrated. We’ll see how he is at training but we’d like to think he’ll ok.”