AHEAD of Bromsgrove Sporting’s trip to Southam United this weekend, boss Paul Smith is set to rotate his squad but maintains this will not affect the team’s performance.
Following last weekend’s 4-1 victory over Bolehall Swifts, the Rouslers moved to the top of the Midland League Division One table as Coventry United’s game away at Pelsall Villa was postponed.
And this weekend, Rouslers boss Smith takes his injury-free squad to third-from-bottom outfit Southam United hoping to change things up with the starting 11.
He said: “I’ve got a full strength squad to pick from this weekend which is going to give me a lot of headaches.
“I’m looking to mix things up so more of our players get some game time under their belts but this won’t put a chink in our armour.
“There’s plenty of quality in the squad so any changes won’t weaken the side.”
The Rouslers are in a rich vein of form at the moment, winning nine games in a row in all competitions, but Smith warns there’s a psychological battle when it comes down to facing the lower teams in the league.
“The result against Bolehall was good but our performance on the day was not our best,” he said.
“There’s a mindset that when you play the better sides you raise your game, but when playing the lower sides the performances aren’t there.
“It was until Bolehall equalised that we were started playing better but I’m hoping we step it up a gear on Saturday.”
The last meeting between the two sides came on the opening day of the season where they shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at the Victoria Ground – the Rouslers’ only home game which didn’t result in a win.
Yet for Smith, it’s not all about making the Victoria Ground a fortress.
“Our overall form is the thing that matters most for us, not just home or away,” he said.
“Coventry United are in good form too and we just have to match their performances.
“Obviously, our home crowd have been fantastic and we take our hats off to them for the incredible support they have shown us.
“They are very vocal and the players appreciate it but we have to perform just as good on the road as we do at home.”
Coventry United sit just two points behind the Rouslers but have three games in hand meaning the title is still in their hands.
Smith said: “Ten games ago we was unlucky to lose at Coventry, but since then we have put a great run together but they are still the title favourites.
“However, if they slip up we shall be there to capitalise.”
