Despite the trauma of a replay against an eighth-tier side, the FA Cup has been a welcome distraction from the regular frustrations of league football.
Richard Money has been busy again this week with the signings of James Bowen from Hereford and Akwasi Asante on loan from Grimsby Town.
Bowen, 21, adds extra tenacity and cover to the left-back position while also offering an option in midfield. He has been around the block since coming through the ranks at Cheltenham Town but was a big favourite at Hereford FC.
It’s the signing of Asante that rightly has fans excited for the future and it is a necessary addition. While defensive concentration has cost us in games, our inability to be ruthless with the chances we create at the other end has played a part in our poor form this season.
This weekend we play a Guiseley side who sit above us in the table but have won only one match – and that was at home to bottom side Torquay United.
Replacing Adam Lockwood with Paul Cox was a statement of intent from the Yorkshire club who have since moved to full-time football in a bid to improve their chances of survival.
With Moors looking to follow in their footsteps off the field, on it both sides need the points with victory helping bridge the gap between us and those above Barrow.
It maybe too early to call it a six-pointer but three points tomorrow would be huge.
Vital Quotes:
Darren Carter on changes around Solihull Moors:
Since my last column there has been plenty of restructuring around the club. A change in management and some tweaks to the playing squad too. Firstly it`s never nice when a manager loses his job, it`s the horrible part of the game and collectively as a group of players and staff we are all accountable. Results haven`t been at the standard we expect and unfortunately Liam moves on. I wish him all the very best in his future going forward. As players you have to adapt very quickly to a change in manager.
The new gaffer has arrived and from day one has set out what he expects and the levels he will be demanding we reach to get our season on track and going in the right direction. The message is clear, our season starts now and everybody has to buy into the work ethic that`s needed from this point on. Our games recently have given us some positives to build on, a strong performance against Hartlepool which ended in defeat but was a game we deserved a lot more from. We reacted very well to that disappointment though and got ourselves into the next round of two cup competitions.
Guiseley Team News:
Danny East, Callum McFadzean, Alex Purver, Rob Atkinson, Marcus Williams, Danny Lowe and Elliot Green are all sidelined for Guiseley but Rowan Liburd could make his debut after joining on loan from Stevenage.
Player to watch: John Rooney
Every time I sit and watch the National League highlights, John Rooney appears to be in the thick of all that is good about Guiseley. The midfielder will be the man to stop.
Solihull Moors Team News:
Richard Money could call James Bowen and Akwasi Asante into his starting XI after the duo joined from Hereford and Grimsby Town respectively. Liam Daly is likely to return to centre-back while George Carline and Kristian Green could return.
Player to watch: Akwasi Asante
Akwasi Asante remained raw but his goalscoring record at Solihull Moors prior to joining Grimsby Town could not be sniffed at. As Money bids to improve concentration at the back, Asante’s goals could help us return to winning way.
Match Facts & Stats
Guiseley – 22nd
Overall record: Played 15; Won 1, Drawn 7, Lost 7; For 10, Against 26, GD -16; Points 10
Last six at home Played 6; Won 1, Drawn 3, Lost 2; For 5, Against 6, GD -1; Points 6
Most starts: John Rooney – 15
Most goals: John Rooney – 2
Worst discipline: Connor Brown – 6 yellow cards
SOLIHULL MOORS -23rd
Overall record: Played 15; Won 2, Drawn 2, Lost 11; For 14, Against 27, GD -13; Points 8
Last six at home Played 6; Won 1, Drawn 1, Lost 4; For 5, Against 9, GD -4; Points 4
Most starts: Darren Carter – 15
Most goals: Oladapo Afolayan and Darren Carter – 5
Worst discipline: Shepherd Murombedzi – 5 yellow cards
Ref Watch:
Referee: Peter Gibbons
Location: Wirral
National League matches officiated 17/18: 5
Yellow cards produced: 15
Red cards produced: 0
Penalties awarded: 2
Last time in charge of Solihull Moors: Solihull Moors 0-1 Macclesfield Town – 05/09/17
Assistant referees: Dean Chapman and Richard Abson
Fourth official: Daniel Woodward
Match Prediction:
Guiseley 1-2 Solihull Moors
Next Fixtures:
Solihull Moors’ next six fixtures:
24/10/2017 – Eastleigh (A) – 19:45 – NL
28/10/2017 – AFC Fylde (H) – 15:00 – NL
05/11/2017 – Wycombe Wanderers (H) – 14:00 – FAC
11/11/2017 – Sutton United (H) – NL
18/11/2017 – Maidstone United (A) – NL
21/11/2017 – Wrexham (A) – NL
