This week the lads had a new reason to be feeling 'unsettled' - a sell out away end packed with vocal fans visibily put the pressure on The Allsorts who were fresh from another 10-0 friendly win in midweek.
The game versus the Diamonds was described as a relegation 4pointer, despite the Allsorts sitting comfortably in 4th with one of the best defensive records in the league.
Prior to the game news that the Diamonds were 'ringering up' sent shockwaves through the Allsorts camp. The warmup looked a little lacklustre but it was time to kick off.
The Allsorts started well carving out a few early chances including a shot from Dom and some neat work in the middle, however as the game bore on it was clear that the earlier defensive focus had been thrown out the window. The Diamonds players were leaking through the defence unmarked and there were some early scares forcing saves from Bushell.
The display looked laboured, passes weren't being completed tackles were mistimed and after a while The Diamonds found themselves 1on1 with the keeper and a neat finish led to a goal for the opposition. Signs that the lads were beginning to crack were summed up when Dom took it on himself to take a first time half volley from the halfway line which inevitably flew wide.
Something wasn't working, maybe it was nerves, a lack of composure, the deafening crowd or the appearance of Nick 'I thought you were a goalkeeper' Jones warming up on the touchline but the Allsorts looked shaken. Another mistimed pass leading to a second 1on1 meant the Allsorts went into halftime 2-0 down.
The crowd noticed the lack of team spirit when four of the team members went to chat on the touchline and provide each other with the hairdryer treatment whilst Wacko and Smallsy walked to the other end of the pitch for their own chat. The formation was changed with Adamsy dropping in at right back and Dom attempting to do a job through the middle.
The signs were good in the second half with Jimi getting off the mark and scoring his first league goal with a strong strike from outside the area. Cheers from the crowd! It was looking good.
However within five minutes the scoreline was 4-1 to The Diamonds, the swearing had stopped form The Allsorts players - they were resinged to defeat but could they make the scoreline seem more bearable?
Both Adamsy and Jimi had good chances either saved or rebound off the post - it was clearly going to one of those days.
But - defensive errors and a lack of tracking back led to another goal. Sam and Dom were facing the classic winger dilema - running into the corner flags and having no-where to go.
Disaster struck when Nick 'I thought you were a goalkeeper' Jones was tackled unsuccessfully by Dom four times, he bundled his way into a 1on1 opportunity and neatly tapped home through Bushell. This was the worst possible thing that could have happened.
The full time whistle went, Dom, Sam and Adam went to the away support to clap their commitment for this fixture. Cris ran off the pitch (presumed to be crying) but later apologised for this outburst.
In the press conference after the game Dom reflected on his prematch routine.
"Before the game I was feeling a little tired so I drank a cup of coffee, a pint of coke, ate a nutri-grain bar and used performance enhancing glucose gels. To be honest I think I overdid it - I didn't know I could swear that much" He later personally apologised to the fans for his blue language.
The fans were quoted as saying
"I'm not coming to watch you anymore, it's too stressful" with one fan saying "GO ALLSORTS!" (it is unclear where this fan wants them to go)
Will the Allsorts panic? No of course not, they will hold a few open training sessions, look at the formation and get prepared for the next game.
