ANDY MORRISON has suggested that Connah’s Quay Nomads’ European adventures this summer could have impacted their early season league form.

Nomads were in Europa League action for a fourth successive year as they famously beat Kilmarnock before giving Partizan Belgrade a run for their money.

But Nomads have found the going tough in the bread and butter of the Welsh top-flight with Morrison’s men picking up a hat-trick of draws from matches with Cardiff Met, Caernarfon and Carmarthen.

Those results are by no means a cause for concern, but Morrison believes returning to a different style of football after very little break has caused some problems.

“It’s a pleasure to be involved in those European campaigns, but it is taxing,” said Morrison, who takes Nomads to table-topping Bala Town tonight.

“I think you can see with how Bala have started the season, they look reinvigorated, there is an energy about them and they’ve got good results and beaten TNS.

“I ask is that down to the fact they’ve had a summer off from the pressures of European football? Like us, they went four of five seasons on the trot in Europe.

“You don’t get the chance to have a summer off and work on the things you need to improve on because your focus is solely on Europe.”

The likes of Michael Bakare, Declan Poole and Jamie Insall could return to the starting XI for Nomads as Morrison looks to get his team firing. The Flintshire outfit have found the net just three times in three outings, the corresponding fixtures last term resulting in nine goals.

“We’ll try and freshen things up the best we can, we are mindful that the squad has reduced in size, so I’m mindful I’ve asked players to play again 72 hours later,” said Morrison. “It’s a big ask on these lads, but we’ve had a good chat in the changing room at the end of the game and there is a real positive vibe.

“It’s a challenge for us and a position we are not familiar with in terms of going three games without a win, but we are very, very familiar with going three games without losing.

“If the lads can be a bit fresher, mentally rather than physically, I think we can go and ask questions of the opposition again.”

Bala defender Stuart Jones, meanwhile, feels the Lakesiders can extend Nomads’ winless run to four games.

Colin Caton’s men built on an impressive 3-1 home success over The New Saints by drawing 2-2 at Barry Town United on Monday.

“A tough game, an aerial battle, they are strong,” said Jones.

“If we can get the ball down and ping it around like we can I think we will beat them on the floor.”

Joint leaders Barry head to Carmarthen tonight, while Cardiff Met host Newtown.