Update from the manager, Ian Street
Hello everybody, hope everyone is OK. Just an update on the state of play over the last week.
Well we find ourselves almost where we want to be in the league, after a draw and three straight victories we have closed the gap on the so called ‘runaway’ leaders Nelson and Atherton Collieries.
Like we said a while back, a sustained run of results would catapult us back into the frame and my demands have been carried out by the players so every credit goes to them. At times it hasn’t been pretty and that is sometimes what you get at this level of football but we have managed to get the job done.
I had hoped we could go into the FA Vase game this week against Oldham Boro in a confident position in the league and although things will change around us due to other teams playing league games we are in a fairly healthy position. We now need to maintain our position and kick on as and when required.
There is a good feeling in the dressing room and a determination and belief in the player’s eyes to do well, the lads are getting used to each other and used to being at a forward thinking club with realistic ambitions. Our skipper Adam Foy is finding his feet and through the examples he sets on the field is prompting the team to perform.
At the moment we are suffering a bit with a few injuries, whilst every club will no doubt experience it as well it’s good to know that the lads who have stepped in have given 100% and done well for the club, notably central defender Paul Bowyer who has had no football since the end of pre-season and was concentrating more on his assistance to myself with running the team and coaching.
We can’t feel sorry for ourselves and won’t be using the injuries as an excuse.
The changing room at Thursday’s training session was like the local A&E department on a Friday night and our Physio Lee Wilkinson was kept very busy with all manner of bumps and bruises..!
Central defender Danny Thomas is probably another week away with his calf strain, left back Dave Tickle is similar with his hamstring strain, midfielder Rick Bailey has just this afternoon been given the all clear from the hospital to resume playing after his eye injury and will be a late addition to the squad against Oldham tomorrow and forward Stuart Wellstead is starting his three game suspension.
In a couple of weeks when everyone is available Lee and myself will have a very ‘nice’ problem.
On the recruitment side we have had young Tom Peers join us from Chester and he made a huge impact with the winning goal on Tuesday against Ashton and showed glimpses of a talented footballer in the making.
I am also hopeful of getting a big central defender on board on Monday after our seven day approach for him and also a striker with a fantastic goal scoring pedigree sometime next week. I obviously can’t tell you their names yet but at least one of them will be amongst the crowd watching tomorrow.
Keep having fun, you all seem to be (especially those guys near the dugouts at Atherton LR, don’t think they have ever sold as much Vodka & Red Bull up there for a good while, haha)
Onwards & upwards..!
Ian.