Jewson/Hellenic Boss Baggs delighted with Paulton's ‘tremendous change in fortunes’

AULTON Rovers’ encouraging manager Kieran Baggs says he is looking forward to the day he’s given a “serious selection headache” once his clutch of crocks and newcomers join forces to supply full-strength ranks.

- Simon PARKINSON

Paulton Rovers (maroon) in action against Sidmouth Town last month

(Jenny Short)

The Winterfield Road outfit find themselves second in the Jewson Premier Division standings with four straight wins heading into tomorrow's spicy home affair against fourth-placed Saltash United.

It's been the perfect response to a 3-2 home defeat at the hands of leaders Clevedon Town on September 9, prompting Baggs, pictured, to note: “We've scored 10 league goals since then and haven't conceded at all with wins at Newquay (2-0) and Brislington (3-0) along with a 4-0 home victory over Bradford Town.

“Saturday at Wellington was the toughest of them all with their notorious pitch and slope. We may have only won 1-0 by comparison (through Joel Smedley’s 75th-minute penalty), but I was delighted with the outcome.

“Our away form last year, our defensive record, really needed addressing, and we've been doing that. We're second in the table and it's been a tremendous change in fortunes up until this point.

“It's far too soon to predict anything; we'll get to Christmas and have a closer look at it then.

“There are so many strong teams in this league including Saltash and Shepton Mallet, who we have at home on Tuesday night (7.30pm). They are sides I'd expect to be up there challenging for the playoffs. The games are coming thick and fast and we can’t be getting ahead of ourselves”

Baggs and his management team have been leaving no stone unturned in the quest to better last season’s ninth-placed finish under Ray Johnston’s stewardship.

“We utilise opposition analysis scouts which I feel gives us an advantage over some other clubs when it comes to match preparation,” he said.

“All of our players wear GPS tracking vests during games, giving us ideal opportunities to gauge how much running each of them does and how fast .