Page 33 - Bath City v Swindon Supermarine - Saturday 19 December 2020 - FA Trophy 3rd Round

DEFENSIVE STRENGTH...JACK BATTEN

aspect of the game as in my opinion we’ve conceded far too many goals
at this stage of the season for a Bath City team. We have showed signs of
that in previous games, even if the score lines have not seemed so, we’ve
restricted teams to much less chances from open play so that is a positive
to take, but like I said there is still lots of work to be done.”
What targets have you set yourself as a group over these
Christmas games?
“The festive period is great as you can accumulate points very quickly.
Game after game can be a huge positive and stringing a few wins
together makes playing every couple of days much easier! Obviously we
have the derby games vs Chippenham, which is always something to look
forward to around this time of year, but our approach won’t change too
much, we want to improve and move up the table, that’s the ultimate
Former Bristol City youngster Jack Batten is fast approaching the goal.”
170 appearance mark for Bath City. Despite missing the whole Having returned from injury to largely a new group of players how
of last season with a knee injury sustained in the final pre season have you settled back in, is the team spirit still as good as it was?
outing against Forest Green Rovers, the Bristol born central defender “I think there is only a handful of players still playing for the club since
has battled back on the long road to recovery and when we caught I played Wealdstone in the play offs. So naturally there will be time
up with him this week he was in good spirits and says he is back to spent getting used to each other on and off the pitch but I think we’re
full fitness. Jack, who joined City in November 2015 initially on loan in a good place at the moment, and I’d say we’ve come on a lot from
had this to say… a month ago. I don’t think the late start to the season helps peoples
After such a long time out how is everything now, all back to perspective in relation to this as by Christmas in a normal season we’d be
full fitness? very much into the thick of the season but currently we’ve only played
“My knee is feeling as good as ever so from that point of view, I’m 10 league games, barely making it out of September in a normal year.
absolutely fine. I have to admit with all of the challenges 2020 has The experience we have in the squad helps with this as we do have a lot
brought to us all, it didn’t make my life any easier in terms of returning of younger lads with us this season and to have those characters in the
to play and regaining my fitness. I was almost ready to return to light changing room is vital for them.”
training in March, just as the pandemic really kicked off, so that effected With Christmas bringing lots of matches, how will you and the
my progress massively, not being able to see Steve, our physio, or have team look after yourselves, is it a case of watching what you
use of any form of gym equipment was really tough to take. I believe the eat and drink?
only saving grace would be that with the amount of games we’ve had “We always train through Christmas, so we won’t have any longer
since starting back that has helped me regain my match fitness which i periods off in that sense. I believe with things being how they are at
would say I’m starting to get back to how I was before I was injured.” the moment in the UK, even if a few of the lads wanted to go for a few
How difficult has this season been so far with so many new players drinks down the pub we’d be out of luck anyway! On a serious note
and Covid interruptions etc? though, we all prepare properly for the games over the period, that’s
“Due to Covid, I think it was always going to be a difficult season, not just always been the way since I joined the club. It’s probably more important
for us but for every team in the league. The personnel has changed quite than ever this year to spend time with family and close ones, when and if
a bit from last season, with new faces coming in and quite a few loan you can, so I hope the lads and staff will take the time to do that with the
signings coming into the squad also, which in a normal year, would take hectic schedule ahead.”
a few months to really gel as a squad, so not being able to bond away Finally, what message would you give the supporters who have
from training has made it that little bit harder. I do believe in the last two been watching on the live stream but have yet to return in person?
weeks we’ve started to click on and off the pitch.” “Personally, I’m praying you are allowed back into Twerton Park for these
Going forward City have begun to click but no doubt you will be up and coming games as you have been sorely missed by the players,
keen to get back to keeping clean sheets? staff and everyone working at the club. Your huge support on the live
“For me, clean sheets are the quickest way to three points, especially as streams has been greatly welcomed by the squad, so a massive thank
I believe we have the attacking players in the squad to win against any you from everyone at Bath City for your support in the last few months!”
opposition in the league. Creating a solid unit to allow them to do their ADAM MATRAVERS
thing is really important for us and we need to work hard in improving this

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