Ian Allinson is steeling himself for some tough decisions in the next week or so as he looks to finalise his St Albans City squad.
Saints played their fifth pre-season game in just 10 days on Monday with a 2-1 win away to Lee Allinson’s Biggleswade Town.
Those games have featured a number of trialists fighting for a deal with the Vanarama National League South club.
They now have a relative break with their next fixture not until Saturday when they entertain Luton Town at Clarence Park.
It is time Allinson is going to use to mull things over.
He said: “We had one or two missing [against Biggleswade] in terms of Reece Beckles-Richards and Roman Michel-Percil so we’ve just got to make sure we get those bodies back and then I’ve got to make some tough decisions over the next seven to 10 days.
“It’s only fair that if some of these boys aren’t going to make it that we give them the opportunity to find another club.”
The five-day break will also give the team a chance to get on the training paddock, something the City boss has been missing.
“That’s probably where we are a little bit behind,” he said. “We haven’t had enough training sessions.
“The first game of pre-season against London Colney was switched to a Thursday because we had the Northampton game installed.
“So we lost that and we played Monday and then we go Saturday, Tuesday, Thursday next week with the Monday after as well.
“We’ve probably got two friendlies too many this year.
“They’re great to look at players and great for match fitness but there’s also a little bit of training you need to do as that is different and there is also stuff we need to work on because we’ve not been good enough at certain times during games.”
One thing they have looked at during pre-season is different tactics and formations, with one in particular that caught the eye being the employment of a back three.
He said: “When the trialist was on in the first half, until he did his hamstring, we looked really solid.
“Harold [Joseph] did a great job playing on the left of a three which is not his position.
“We’ve played three at the back on a couple of occasions and also looked at four so there are lots of positives.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here