Tooting & Mitcham boss Wilson hoping Billericay game can be catalyst for strugglers
By Richard Cawley
Frank Wilson reckons that tomorrow’s game against Billericay Town could be just what Tooting & Mitcham need to kickstart their campaign.
The Terrors are second-bottom in the Bostik League Premier Division and host the big-spending Essex outfit who are fancied to claim the title.
“A really good result against a Margate or Billericay can ignite something positive,” said Tooting manager Wilson. “We showed signs of improvement and played really well against Margate on Saturday [losing 3-2].
“This is David against Goliath. Billericay have beaten us in the league and trophy already but my players will be up for it.
“It is a bit like the games against Dulwich, in that players are talking about it from the start of the week up to when you play them.
“You want that attitude all the time but you can’t always get that approach because it is down to the background or status of the opposition. I expect everyone to be on top of their games and that will make it interesting.
“Since we last played them in September there has been player movement at both clubs. They don’t drop many points but we’re certainly in a better place than when we played them before.”
Tooting handed a debut to former Dulwich centre-back Matt Drage last weekend.
He had initially signed for Eastbourne Borough after leaving Hamlet.
“He is never going to be short of a few clubs when he has played for Dulwich for as long as he did,” said Wilson. “He was someone we shortlisted at the start of the season.
“He went to the league above but it didn’t work out and we have secured his services until the end of the season. He has experience and it is an area we wanted to bring more competition in.”