6th January 2017

The Town boss has used just 20 players in the 2016/17 campaign, equalling the lowest total alongside Chelsea of all the football clubs in the Premier League and EFL.

 

The Glovers are winless in their last five league matches but Way feels his side aren’t far off from turning their close encounters into wins.

 

He said in part one of his Half-Way Report on YTFC’s official YouTube channel: “I think sometimes you have to be careful when you say five games without a win because I felt proud the way my team approached the Exeter and Portsmouth games (both 0-0 at Huish Park).

 

“On another day we could’ve won them. I went five defeats in a row last time and it’s not me being arrogant, but I was quite consistent in my team selection and formation then and we went on an eight-game unbeaten run.

 

“I look at Chelsea who have been quite consistent in their selection and they’re top of the Premier League. In previous years they’ve changed shape and formation.”

He added: “I feel the players know what they’re doing but the margin of error at League Two level is so close.

 

“I’ve been very consistent and I think you can see that in the performances.

 

“It’s not as though we turn up every week and have bad performances. The players are fully committed and on another day the two draws against Exeter and Portsmouth could see us having a different conversation. That’s how close it is.

 

“I have to make sure I believe in what I’m trying to do. I’m not afraid to change it if I feel I need to.”

 

The 37-year-old also feels the loss of influential attacker Ryan Hedges has impacted the momentum of his side, with the Swansea loanee ruled out for 4-6 weeks with an ankle injury.

 

“When you’ve worked with 20 players all season and then lose a player like Hedges, it upsets the dynamic and the shape. That’s when you have to decide whether another player can fill that role which is the same as Ryan.

 

“I understand why there is the question mark (surrounding my selection/formation) but when you lose there’s always a question mark about whether you should change a player or shape.

 

“I’m quite confident in the group and we are close at the moment but we’re just lacking that little bit of leadership and responsibility to get goals.”