Telford’s plight is of no concern to Buckle

Town boss Paul Buckle isn’t paying any attention to the poor run that tomorrow night’s opponents AFC Telford United are currently on, writes Mike Simmonds.

The Bucks have gone 13 Conference games without a win, to drop into the bottom four, but that was of no concern to Buckle as he said: “As always, I shut my ears to all that sort of stuff and close my eyes. I’m sure when it comes around they will be well up for the game.

“All of that goes out of the window. It’s all about what we do. If we go up there and perform how we have done of late I’m sure we’ll be okay.”

With temperatures plummeting and most of the country hit by snow on Monday, the game is in doubt, but Buckle will be planning for it going ahead.

He continued: “I think they’ve got the pitch covered. I’m not too sure what the weather is like up there, but I’m really hoping it’s going to be on.

“The last thing we want is the game to be called off, but at the same time, you really want a decent pitch to play on, or else you can suffer as it can certainly can be a leveller.

“I’m confident they’ve got a good surface up there and I’m really hopeful the game can go ahead.”

Town’s away form, which had been so impressive earlier in the season, has stalled of late, as they haven’t tasted victory on their travels for four matches, their last win coming at Forest Green on October 27.

Hatters have been in great form at home though, winning their last seven as Buckle said: “It’s strange because our away form had been excellent. We let ourselves down at Woking, we know that.

“Our home needed to pick up and that’s been exceptional. We just need to get our consistency levels up and get back on track away from home.”

Both Scott Neilson and Greg Taylor are available once again after being cup-tied for the FA Trophy win over Skelmersdale United as Buckle is expected to go back to the side that hammered Barrow 6-1.

He said: “I’m not going to give my hand away, it would be silly of me to do that.

“The one thing for sure for me is all the boys are doing well, that’s good for me. I made eight changes on Saturday and the lads came in and did well.

“It’s down to the side that start and those who are on the bench though as we’re in the back straight now for the second half of the season.”

With Saturday’s results seeing Luton drop back to sixth in the table, they could cut the gap to leaders Wrexham to five points with victory, as Buckle added: “We’re still in the cups and if we win our games in hand we’re right in there, so the key now is that tomorrow night, to go with the right attitude, right approach and for the players to go all out for the win.”

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