Results have deteriorated after the Glovers had a strong month or so in October and November.
Mark Cooper’s team has won two and lost three of their past five games. However, those three losses occurred during the previous three games. It must be acknowledged that Barnet, York City, and Halifax—all excellent clubs in their own right—were the opponents in the three losses. They lost to Barnet 1-2 at home the last time out.
Woking, who are now 18th in the league, have had a difficult season. The Cards have won one, drawn two, and lost two of their previous five league games. The lone win came against Boston United, who finished in second place. Additionally, two people have defeated them team that the Glovers have been beaten by in Barnet and FC Halifax.
What more can be said about the full-back experience than has already been said? With Yeovil’s defensive bans, the Northern Ireland international’s injury return comes at the ideal moment.
Having a player with the know how and quality of Smith will prove vital going into the upcoming fixtures. He will be a player Cooper will be looking to rely on that’s for sure.
Woking – Dale Gorman
A name that is well-known to Glovers’ fans, Gorman joined the Surrey side from Barnet in the summer and has made an impact. The centre midfielder has picked up five assists so far this season for a struggling team.
The Northern Irishman has already been named captain in his short time at The Cards, which shows his impact as a leader within the squad.
However, he’s become a bit of a pantomime villain (quelle surprise, I know!) of late and had a bit of a bust-up with fans in a 2-0 defeat at Barnet last weekend. He appeared as a second half substitute against Southend United on Tuesday night and it’s fair to say there was a bit of an ‘atmosphere’ when he arrived.
Still loves a booking, he got sent off for two in the opening day and is the proud owner of ten yellows this season. He’s got one goal as well which (even more surprisingly to anyone who saw him in a Yeovil shirt) was a beautiful free-kick to get a consolation goal back in a 3-2 defeat at Tamworth last month.
Michael Doyle, the manager of the Cards, discussed his team’s forthcoming home game with the club’s media. “Another home game against Yeovil,” he said. It will be a terrific test for us because they played last year and have a strong start to the season, but we must win at home.
Mark Cooper, the manager of Yeovil, discussed the rapid turnaround with the BBC following the midweek match. “We only have two days, so the players will take tomorrow off on Friday and play on Saturday,” he stated.However, we won’t use that as an excuse.
To play against Woking on Saturday, we must rest and ensure that the team has enough healthy legs.
In the 11 meetings between these two teams, Yeovil has won six of them, Woking three, and there have only been two draws. But in March 2023, the Glovers lost 0-1 in their most recent meeting. The Somerset team lost 1-0 the last time they played at Kingfield Stadium, which was in November 2022.
Have any two teams traded players as frequently as Woking and Yeovil Town throughout the years? Luke Wilkinson, Charlie Wakefield, Steve Thompson, Kevan Brown, Jamie Pitman, Warren Patmore, and, errr, there are probably more.
Actually, they are since some of them are in today’s game, even though they came from other clubs.
Dale Gorman, who was already mentioned, and Jamie Andrews, his midfield partner, also spent time in the South West.
The 22-year-old was on loan at Yeovil from West Bromwich Albion for a short period between November 2022 and January 2nd 2023. During that time he played a total of eight games.
Gorman played a total of 42 appearances during his year long spell in Somerset, scoring five goals.
Less likely to be playing is Dan Moss, the all-action full-back who endeared himself to Glovers’ fans during a loan spell from Millwall in the 2021/22 season. He played 23 times in green-and-white before returning to The Den, and was then picked up by his former boss at Yeovil, Darren Sarll, when he quit Huish Park for the Kingfield – yes, it happens with managers as well. Moss was not in the Cards’ squad for their midweek goalless draw (/snooze fest) with Southend United, so may not feature today.
Midfielder Rohan Ince is another player with Somerset connections. He arrived at Huish Park back in 2012 when he was getting his career started in Chelsea’s academy and made two appearances. Since then he’s gone on to represent Brighton & Hove Albion, Cheltenham Town and Maidenhead United with loans at Swindon Town and Fulham. He arrived at the Kingfield in 2021 but fell out of favour in the latter part of Sarll’s time in charge. He is a long-term injury victim this season and therefore will not feature against us.
Yeovil will be without defenders Dom Bernard and Jake Wannell.
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