Jays Maghull Preview

Looking back to Saturday’s win over Prestatyn Town, the positives are that we introduced a few of the newer players from the start and they blended in well, which is pleasing. We also managed to try some players in different positions as well as a couple of different formations, which everyone adapted to well. There were also three strikers in the side and they all scored, so none of our strikers are looking for goals, and that’s always a positive situation to be in.

I’ve been working on one to one coaching sessions with Steven Jones, working on his technique, his passing and shooting power and you could see the results on Saturday, so that will continue, to make sure he reaches my standards when we kick off our league campaign against Alsager Town.

Regardless of any result though, we’re always looking to improve the team, whether that’s in terms of personnel, different staff, coaching methods or training ideas. As for the current group of lads we have, we’re faced with the difficult problem of possibly having to let some go. That’s difficult because they’re all great lads, they’ve been really dedicated to this pre-season, to the training and to AFC Liverpool, so if we have to say goodbye to some or loan them out, it’ll be tough but on the other hand it’s a good position to be in.

The spirit among the squad though is the best since I’ve been at the club (this is my third season) and we haven’t got any complaints in terms of their attitude, work rate, dedication or application. The atmosphere in the changing room and the way they support each other is a great credit to each one of them.

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s game against Maghull, we’ll be looking to field a strong team. We have a few players coming back into the team; Liam Loughlin will be back, we’ll have another look at Franny Barry plus one or two others. Those players that haven’t been involved so far we’ll be given the minutes to get their match fitness, and after starting with a strong line up, depending on how the match is progressing, we’ll look to introduce those players on the fringe of the first team.

We’ll have the lads back in for another training session on Thursday, which will be our penultimate before the season kicks off, and we’ll continue to improve the fitness while also concentrating a little more on the technical side of things. We’ll then use the games against Marine and Atherton LR to get the players up to full match fitness as well as understanding how we’re going to play this season.

We’ve had different approach this year compared to twelve months ago when we had more of an emphasis on technical sessions, which you could see the result of in our early performances. This time around, we’ve kept technical aspect of the team, which you’ve seen in the games against Morecambe and Prestatyn Town, but we’re looking to change the mentality of the squad as a whole. We want them to be a bit more physical, a bit more aggressive, to complement our passing game, which will hopefully stand us in good stead for the season ahead.

I look forward to seeing you tomorrow night – Jay.