By Carl Matthews
On Sunday Croatia play host to Wanderers in what should be a very difficult and competitive game for the Blues.
For Wanderers to have a realistic chance of coming away from this game with a decent result all their players really must step up to the plate and be accounted for.
At the moment the team seems content to rely upon a few key individuals (such as midfielders Dawson, Fewster, Ratslaf and goalkeeper Danny Rowlands), to put in match winning performances.
Unfortunately, no team is able to mount a serious challenge for cup or championship honours on the back of only three or four people.
Against Lions two weeks ago the entire team played really well and fought hard for every ball and as a consequence looked very impressive; against Steel many Blues' players (particularly at the back) looked like headless chickens running around with very little idea of what to do next.
Of course, it did not help that last weekend Wanderers had five first team regulars missing.
The question that begs answering is was the Lions match an anomaly - a one-off never to be repeated again this season?
Or, will Wanderers rally to Coaches Dawson and Fewster's demands that every player on the park start working their shirts off for themselves and their team?
Sources at Swandal Park reveal that captain Scott Watson, central defender Sturt Cunniff and midfielder Ben Rowlands all should be available to give the Blues some much needed 'oomph' across all areas of the park.
The bad news is that leading goal scorer Dawson is unlikely to start the game due to a calf injury.
Bad news indeed.
Croatia, after a poor showing against Lions, looked absolutely sensational against Steel United.
Joslyn-Neil appears to be back to his game-winning best and his partnership up front with Marik should see Croatia garner a swag of goals this season.
Biedenweg's return to the team has also given Croatia's defence some much needed confidence and experience at the back, and it is to be wondered how the Blues will be able to hit the back of the net!
Indeed, many at Croatia Park will have already penciled in a win against the Blues, not just because of the latter team's indifferent form, but also because every time these two teams met last season Croatia ran out easy victors.
Sources at Croatia Park reveal that having enjoyed a bye last weekend, Croatia should be able to field a near full-strength side that is fit and raring to go and striving to make it two wins out of two in the race for the League Championship.
What this invariably means is that Croatia will pass the ball around all game forcing the Blues to continually run, run, run.
It will be a real test of concentration, fitness and stamina and should the Blues not be up for it they could be in for a really torrid time.
Final verdict
A lot depends on the Blues line-up.
If it is a competitive one and if the team works as well as it can, they could give Croatia a real surprise.
If, however, the team is depleted of first team regulars and plays without confidence, Croatia to win handsomely.