It’s fair to say that Mark Yates and Tim Flowers are walking into a very difficult job.
Six points off safety, in charge of a squad that has already seen over 30 players don the club strip in league action and now ready to make their mark on a side that has struggled under the stewardship of Liam McDonald, Richard Money and Gary Whild, the latter two admittedly for much shorter periods of time.
They only took charge on Wednesday and it is likely that they have only had one training session but their vast experience in the game is something that a raw set of National League talents should be able to learn from.
Yates’ time in management has been decent without being amazing, his best moment undoubtedly coming when he took Cheltenham Town within 90 minutes of League One football, a complete turnaround for a club who faced relegation and threats of administration.
It’s fair to say that if the pair get this right and keep Solihull Moors in the National League, their CV’s will look most impressive.
They have already made an addition to the squad as well with Kwame Thomas joining from League Two Coventry City. He has mustered 45 career appearances under his belt for Derby County, Notts County, Blackpool and Coventry in his short career and even scored a couple of goals in League One last season, making him an exciting short-term addition.
It is goals and quality further forward that is required. Yates and Flowers need to find a balance that allows their new charges to force the opposition back and relieve some of the pressure on a backline that gives their all but inevitably will be caught out eventually.
The new management team face three fixtures in their first week in charge with today’s trip to Maidstone United the first. One of many unfancied sides that are flying in the league, Yates will be looking to bring them down a peg or two.
Vital Quotes:
Mark Yates is excited about taking over at Solihull Moors:
“This is an exciting appointment and it is great to be back doing what I do best. Both Tim and I know that we need points to turn the season around, starting at Maidstone which is going to be tough. We need to get our ideas across to the players quickly and we need to give direction and importantly, hope. I am raring to meet the squad at training tomorrow night.”
Maidstone United Team News:
There is no team news available at the time of writing for Maidstone United but given their recent form, changes unlikely to be made unless they are necessary.
Player to watch: Joe Piggott
Having made 60 starts for 7 clubs in just five seasons, Joe Piggott appears to have finally found a home at Maidstone United having made his loan switch permanent. With 7 goals from 18 starts this season, including the winner away at Torquay United last weekend, he is very much their main man in attack.
Solihull Moors Team News:
Changes could be afoot thanks to the appointments of Mark Yates and Tim Flowers this week. Kwame Thomas has joined on loan from Coventry City and could be in line for a debut while Courtney Richards trained with the side last week against Sutton United pre-match and could return.
Player to watch: George Carline
It’s been a rare sight to see George Carline really on his game this season. Suffering with injuries, and the side’s inability to really make the most of his strengths, Carline’s aerial prowess was on show last weekend against Sutton United.
Match Facts & Stats
Maidstone United – 5th
Overall record: Played 18; Won 9, Drawn 5, Lost 4; For 24, Against 18, GD +1; Points 32
Last six at home: Played 6; Won 2, Drawn 3, Lost 1; For 7, Against 6, GD +1; Points 9
Most starts: Joe Piggott and Lee Worgan – 18
Most goals: Joe Piggott – 7
Worst discipline: Zavon Hines – 6 yellow cards
SOLIHULL MOORS -24th
Overall record: Played 19; Won 3, Drawn 2, Lost 14; For 18, Against 38, GD -20; Points 11
Last six away: Played 6; Won 1, Drawn 0, Lost 5; For 5, Against 10, GD -5; Points 3
Most starts: Darren Carter – 19
Most goals: Oladapo Afolayan – 8
Worst discipline: Shepherd Murombedzi – 5 yellow cards
Ref Watch:
Referee:Samuel Allison
National League matches officiated 17/18: 10
Yellow cards produced: 41
Red cards produced: 4
Penalties awarded: 3
Last time in charge of Solihull Moors: Torquay United 3-0 Solihull Moors – 22/11/2016
Assistant referees: Daniel Austin and Gary Jerden
Fourth official: Dele Sotimirin
Match Prediction:
Maidstone United 1-1 Solihull Moors
Next Fixtures:
Solihull Moors’ next six fixtures:
21/11/2017 – Wrexham (A) – NL
25/11/2017 – Gateshead (H) – NL
02/12/2017 – Leyton Orient (H) – NL
05/12/2017 – Hednesford Town (H) – BSC
09/12/2017 – Chester (A) – NL
23/12/2017 – Boreham Wood (H) – NL
