GAVIN O'Toole's decision to leave Common Road wasn't a surprising one - but it's to be hoped that none of his teammates follow suit, writes Mervyn Collins.

The term "deserting a sinking ship" comes to mind, but the captain's departure followed rumblings of discontent last weekend.

Wage cuts and an extra session of training each week appeared to be the reasons for the moans from certain players. However, I was told that every other club in the Premier Division of the Southern League, with the exception of Evesham, trains twice weekly!

Surely that's not too much to ask especially as it has been the performances of the players that have left the Robins perched precariously near the foot of the division.

"There are a lot of issues to be addressed," manager Paul West said earlier this week. "I want players at the club who want to be here and the most important thing is to get a squad together that I feel can get us out of trouble."

West did admit that the training regime would be "upped" and there was bound to have been discussion at training this week.

What was most apparent on Wednesday night was the lack of bodies on the pitch. New physiotherapist Nigel Clemmett had his work cut out and he will be working flat out right up until kick-off time tomorrow to ensure West has a full-strength squad to choose from.

Chippenham are the visitors and the biggest doubts are Anthony Watson, Rob Taylor and Danny Hodnett. Add to that list the suspended trio of Richard Ball, Steve Duncan and Lee Knight and it's not difficult to see the problems facing West and Micky Brennan.

"I've signed a few lads on but they are just bodies," West revealed. "We won't be going into the game with a negative attitude we will just be patching them up and getting them out there."

Tomorrow's match is being sponsored by Scholten Bacon, Biddenham, Bedfordshire and the ball by London Metals, Compton Road, London.