Today we welcome Tamworth to the Mangata Developments Stadium Meadow Park for what I think would possibly be for the very first time? Can I wish their Directors, Manager, Players and Supporters a pleasant stay with us and a safe journey home.
Well since my last programme notes, we have welcomed EFL 2 Crawley Town to our humble abode in the 1st Round of the FA Cup and then played both Aldershot at home and Brackley away in the league. We have deservedly won all three games in truth and despatched those teams with a bit to spare, conceding just one goal in the process.
As you can imagine those victories, when coupled with our current league position and FA Cup progress, has given us great confidence going into today’s game and we feel that this could perhaps be the best squad we’ve ever put together, certainly the best since we finished fourth in the National League and went to Wembley in the play offs.
In my opinion, Luke and the boys are playing some great football and in terms of the Crawley Town performance, we simply out thought and out fought them to win 3-0, and book ourselves a place in the FA Cup 2nd Round. By winning that game we have now been drawn at home once again and face another EFL 2 Club Newport County.
On top of that we have been fortunate enough to be chosen as an FA Cup broadcast game by the BBC and TNT…. So, the last two weeks both on and off the field of play have been hugely rewarding for what is still a small community football club compared to so many ex-football league clubs within this division.
Perhaps the next question we must realistically address as we head toward Christmas, is how will we cope with injuries, suspensions, a dip in form or the increased expectation levels? Expectation of course is now amongst us, as shown by us being a ‘live’ FA Cup pick, as the broadcasters have chosen our game on the basis of us causing a cup upset.
If our league and cup form does continue over the next month or two, then of course it’s only human nature to start to dream the impossible dream. But for now, let’s just enjoy what we’re doing without any internal pressure as I feel that type of expectation might hinder us.
As Chairman I simply want Luke, our staff and the dressing room to continue playing pressure free football while performing with a freedom that excites me, themselves and you the fans. Their free-flowing style has surpassed anything I could have expected from them, but I caution that as we are only in mid-November and there’s such a long season ahead.
Of course, both my staff and our supporters are watching exactly the same football as me, so I understand totally why expectation levels have increased. That said if we can take our early season form into the Christmas and New Year period, then quite rightly there will be an ever-growing excitement and expectation level to deal with.
In truth me might not say it, but we’ve surprised ourselves, our supporters and others, but after 18 league games we are not now going to be a surprise package to most clubs anymore, having pretty much played every team within the division. Also with modern day analysis, all the clubs backroom teams have done their homework and by now will know our personnel, formation, set pieces, strengths, weaknesses and quality.
So, as we ease toward the halfway point of our league programme, the table though surprising to some doesn’t lie and based on our performances to date i think it is a fair reflection of the football we’ve played. It’s also a true reflection of our talented squad, our togetherness and the progress we’ve made on and off the park both this and last season.
We’re also very aware of the number of games we’ve got coming up including the National League Cup, we are very aware of our squad size, we are very aware of our squad depth, but we are also very aware of the size of our home support base compared to our rivals and in truth we don’t want that becoming a factor especially at home.
As such we are hoping to grow our support base in the run up to Christmas, even if just by another hundred or two. To do that we need the help of our season ticket holders and data base, who we hope will spread the footballing word, as we attempt more community initiatives pre-Christmas to help support possibly the best side we’ve ever produced in my time at the club?
Today we are promoting 3up regarding the creation of a third promotion place from National League into the EFL. That said we are also promoting ‘Ladies Day’ with ‘free’ home entrance for all our local girls and all the kids from our local primary schools.
On top of that from mid-day, the Ladies can enjoy a Cocktail of the day, a Prosecco or a Wine available at half price up until 6pm in the Glass House. After 6pm we have then booked you a Karaoke and DJ again in the Glass House and every player, member of staff and Manager Luke Garrard will be in attendance.
We hope as many of you can join us and it’s just another little thank you from me, for your care, loyalty and support over last season and this season to date. The players are all going to be there until gone 8pm to belt out a tune or two and I just hope we all have a great day. Obviously to have great evening we’ve firstly got to get the result earlier in the day to keep our momentum going, so here’s hoping.
I feel if we can get you to support some of these community initiatives and if they get a few hundred more through the gate on a regular basis, then that increase in both noise and atmosphere will enhance our togetherness across the entire club and be a powerful tool that can only help us with our quiet ambition.
Of course we must all stay realistic, of course we must try to stay in the moment but in the end it’s up to all of us to get ourselves here on match-days and last the course regarding whatever lies in front of us. That said, I know it’s also how the changing room quietly deals with the inevitable injuries, suspensions, setbacks and exterior noise, that will also shape our season.
We must also be very aware of the current transfer and loan market, and which players might become available in the near future. Because at present I can tell you it’s very difficult market to bring in good players. So, It’s important we stay vigilant and find the right characters who will integrate into what is already a very harmonious and talented squad. That said behind the scenes we are always busy, always working hard, always pro-active and we know that things could change very quickly. So, trust me if they do, we’re ready to act positively and at a moment’s notice.
Anyway, back to today, we know how difficult this Tamworth team will make things. We know they are a very good side, we know they are very organised and trust me they know how to win on the road. Like ourselves they are a relatively small club operating at National League level, like us they know how to be an underdog club, and they know how to beat the bigger clubs, so I have huge respect for them.
Lastly whoever you support, let’s hope for an open, attacking game and may the best team win.
Take care,
Danny.
