Michael Birmingham to make 'big changes' for Horndean's meeting with Solent University

Michael Birmingham wants Horndean to get back to basics as they welcome Solent University to Five Heads Park.
Fuzz Kanjanda. Picture: Vernon Nash (190119-043)Fuzz Kanjanda. Picture: Vernon Nash (190119-043)
Fuzz Kanjanda. Picture: Vernon Nash (190119-043)

Birmingham was disappointed by many aspects of their midweek home defeat against AFC Portchester which saw them reduced to nine men.

Ash Howes was sent off just before the half-hour mark and Fuzz Kanjanda saw red 20 minutes from time for a second bookable offence.

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Birmingham feels his team need to rediscover their passing game.

‘We have to move the ball quickly, which is something we didn't do against Portchester,’ he said.

‘Instead, we went too straight and too long which is not what we are about.

‘We got caught up in the occasion, which is unlike us.

‘The students of Solent University will present us with a different challenge.

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‘They will be young, enthusiastic, possess high energy levels and, like us, will want to play.

‘Their manager James Taylor is a legend and I highly rate his son Ethan, who plays up top for them.

‘We will need to stop him.

'They are so young and they play with no fear, and when they get it right can be very scary.

‘We must match their work rate if we are to give ourselves a chance.

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‘I envisage making big changes for this game and for the rest of the season.’

Solent haven’t played a Wessex game since January 4, but have won three out of their last four away league games.

Ethan Taylor scored the winner in their last win on the road at Tadley on December 28 - two days after he had made his Gosport Borough debut as a second half substitute at Blackfield.

Solent have already drawn 3-3 at home with Horndean this season, remarkably, the only one of 10 home league games they haven’t lost.

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