On The Road
THE WORKING BOSS WHO LEARNED HIS TRADE UNDER POCHETTINO
It IS appreciated by y England supporterss how Mauricio Pochettino’s influence extends further than n tottenham Hotspur.
But fans of non- League e Woking also have cause for a sense of gratitude to thee Argentine for the advicee he has provided to theirr new manager.
Anthony Limbrick is an n Australian 34-year- old under-- taking his first managerial role e and bringing a fresh approach.h Having spent five seasons as an age-group coach at Southampton, as well as time at the FA, Limbrick (below) took a plunge this summer by leaving West Ham’s academy to work at the National League coalface.
He brought with him advice provided by Pochettino, Ronald Koeman and Nigel Adkins. the results have been eye-catching.
Limbrick’s brief was to stabilise a team that has one of the division’s smaller budgets and which last season battled relegation to finish 18th.
Under Limbrick, Woking are in promotion contention, leaving former League sides tranmere, Leyton Orient and Halifax trailing. ‘It was a big risk, probably for the club and myself,’ Limbrick says.
‘I knew if I wanted to get anywhere I had to push myself. You are a lot more secure in the academy environment — there is pressure on you to produce players but not to win games. But I felt like I was ready and I needed that challenge.
‘We have a three-year plan, and we are looking for a consolidation season. So we are ahead of schedule.’
Limbrick came to England from Australia aged 18 to try to make it as a professional footballer but he retired aged 20 after breaking his leg. ‘It was a tough decision and a lot of people were telling me to go back to Australia to do something else for my career, but I was very determined to make it as a coach,’ he says.
‘At Southampton I started off with the Under 14s and went right through to the 16s, 18s, and did a little bit with the 23s. I was full- time so worked through the day and helped coach Luke Shaw, James WardProwse, Calum Chambers, Harrison Reed, Jack Stephens and Josh Sims.
‘We had a close relationship with Mauricio and Ronald, they wanted to know who the best young players were and they would train with the first team. Mauricio taught me a lot about training methods, psychology, and how to manage players. He would always get to know his players. He would treat them differently — they all need different things — but fairly.’
Limbrick has professionalised Woking, increasing training to five sessions per week and raising focus on video analysis, sport science and tailored fitness programmes. ‘ the average age of the squad is 22, 23,’ he says. ‘We got in a lot of young, hungry players. Our style is high tempo.’
On Saturday Limbrick took his team to rivals Bromley, a club also looking to reach the Football League.
the main bar at Hayes Lane bustles as fans take in the end of Chelsea’s win over Watford on the big screen. Out on the terraces, there are 1,577 fans with 251 in the away section.
the 3G pitch means autumn showers have zero impact but when the sun comes out Woking concede two poor goals. twice in three minutes before the break Adam Mekki delivers decisive free- kicks from the left.
Jack Holland scores first when goalkeeper Nathan Baxter, on loan from Chelsea, is slow to dive. Unmarked Josh Rees nodded in the second.
Less than a minute into the second half Woking are reduced to 10 men when Kane Ferdinand is harshly given a straight red. But Limbrick’s team become the better side. Woking winger Joe Ward is the best player on the pitch and twice goes close.
Limbrick is composed after full- time and gives the impression this is a set-back he will take in his stride. Woking are now fourth, four points off the top.
‘We are disappointed in the goals, but I thought we showed a lot of character. We have lost a couple of Saturday games before but then won on the tuesday. We will be looking to do that against Dover.’