ROUSLERS boss Brendan Kelly hopes his side can repeat one of their big-game performances against another of the division’s big hitters this weekend.
Sporting go to AFC Rushden & Diamonds on Saturday (3pm) on the back of Tuesday’s 5-0 thrashing of step four side Bedworth United in the CSS League Challenge Cup, helping atone for last weekend’s 1-0 reverse to Needham Market.
Kelly admits he feels more confident of Bromsgrove’s chances going up against a tougher opponent, than against a side deemed weaker than, or on the same level as the Rouslers.
“I could be concerned going into the weekend, but we seem to perform against the big boys,” he said.
“We’ve done it against Stourbridge and Tamworth so far this season – we seem to get up them for them types of games.
“Hopefully we can get a similar performance this Saturday.”
While the last game in the Southern Premier League Central provided cause for concern, the Bromsgrove manager was delighted to see new signing Mike Taylor star with a hat-trick in midweek.
“Mike’s had a great start,” said Kelly.
“You want your strikers to hit the ground running and he did that, since he came in here he’s been great.”
Kelly said he had no other option but to name a full-strength team against Bedworth, adding: “We went with a strong squad, the last half hour of the Needham game was abominable, so we wanted to get our tails up.
“The performance was ok, but we’ve had a false run of form recently.”
“The game was won so I made three changes at half time, looked to change the shape and try out a few things that we haven’t before.
“Some lads had the opportunity to stay in the side, others had the opportunity to get in the team – some took it, others didn’t.
“So there’s still a few decisions to be made [for Saturday], we haven’t got to the stage where the team picks itself yet.”
Aside from matters on the pitch, news of the return of former Rousler Nathan Binner was announced towards the end of last week, with Kelly confident that the midfielder can break into his first-team plans.
“He’s trained really well since he came back in – he’s looking a lot stronger and fitter,” he said.
“He’s so good on the ball, he’ll get his opportunity, and he gives us another option.”
