2010/11 is shaping up as expected for Tooting & Mitcham United. Following strict budget cuts and the subsequent loss of Billy Smith, George Wakeling and the vast majority of the playing squad, this season was always going to be a difficult one. ‘Transitional’ is a word that’s wheeled out by clubs up and down the football ladder to pre-excuse failure. In Tooting’s case, it really does describe the current campaign.
Incoming manager Mark Beard and his backroom staff had a tough task on their hands to assemble a squad over the summer and they have done a good job, by and large. There have been the inevitable comings and goings, with the likes of Lino Goncalves and Taurean Roberts having a taste of both. Beard’s moulding of his squad has continued into the season and has seen Luke Garrard replaced in goal and early season full backs Mark Waters and Nigel Brake falling out of favour. That’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Beard has also made good use of the loan system, bringing in Pat O’Connor, Elliot Cox and Kiernan Hughes-Mason, among others.
Ahead of tonight’s trip to Horsham, the Stripes sit in 15th place in the Ryman Premier League and problems in the team’s play are beginning to bubble up to the surface. In recent games, particularly at home against AFC Hornchurch and Bury Town, the pattern has become familiar. The defence has been an area of instability and it shows. Tooting have a concerning habit of conceding soft goals in games where they have been for the most part the better side.
Gambian international Hasim Deen has been the only consistent inclusion at the back who’s actually a defender by trade. Club stalwarts Aaron Goode and Jason Henry, more readily associated with midfield, have come into the back four regularly and done a far better job than some of the more experienced defenders, particularly out wide. Henry has been in superb form when asked to play at right back, while Goode is a solid (if unspectacular) performer regardless of position. Deen’s contribution has been crucial. But for a slight lack of pace, he’d probably be better suited to Conference football.
Frequent alterations to the midfield have been necessary but only now is the group beginning to settle. Former Metropolitan Police player James Evans is growing into his pivotal role at Imperial Fields, arguably thanks to the influence of Danny Waldren, who was signed from the tragic smouldering rubble of Croydon Athletic and has already imposed himself in the middle of the park, freeing Evans from a percentage of the dirty work (not that he shirks it even now) and allowing him to play football. In truth, both pitch in on both fronts.
Karl Beckford is yet to show his best form on a weekly basis but in his occasional absence it is undeniable that he’s missed. Like Evans, he adds a touch of class on the ball and is capable of taking good quality set pieces which are vital in non-league football. The remaining midfield position has been something of a revolving door, with Cox, Scott Taylor, Hughes-Mason and youth team product Reece Hall all briefly putting in decent performances.
If flux is problematic at the back, stagnation is costing the Terrors up front. Skipper Rob Haworth brings a lot to the side in terms of physicality and vocal motivation, but is struggling for goals so far with his final touch letting him down in one-on-ones. Alongside him, ex-Godalming marksman Phil Williams tirelessly helps Haworth work the channels and has the strength and speed to make him a dangerous man on the ball. Unfortunately, like his partner, the finish just hasn’t been there lately other than from close range. A couple of goals each would do them good, but the imminent return of Barry Stevens from injury offers a more immediate prospect of the breaking of bad habits.
For me, though, the biggest positive at Tooting so far this season has been Jamie Butler. The young goalkeeper is a Tottenham Hotspur product who joined the club from Bromley and has been very good in between the posts. Aside from his dismissal for handling outside the area against Sutton United - an error for which the goalkeeper should take only partial responsibility - Butler has been reliable for his new club. Despite his relatively small stature, he has shown himself to be excellent at dealing with set pieces and is a superb shot-stopper, as he demonstrated emphatically in Saturday’s defeat by Bury. His vocal organisation and command of his area belie his modest years and I have high hopes for his future.
Although the league table and recent results haven’t been so clever, there remains cause for optimism at Tooting & Mitcham. Beard and his first team coach Nick Tester are quite clearly excellent young coaches and have the trust of their players. In the long term, the club needs to drastically improve its communications approach and add another hundred or so regulars to the gate, but the playing future looks as bright as could be expected at this stage.
Finally, a quick mention for Jamie Byatt. Last season, he sustained a long-term injury and was helped by supporters to pay for his operation. A few weeks ago I asked Jamie how his recovery was coming along and he said he hoped to be back in full training by the end of this year. He’s been at every home game this season and it’s been great to see him jogging on the pitch before some recent matches. It’ll be fantastic to see him back in action.