COLIN MILLAR THE ADAMS FAMILY ARE SCARY LOT

By Comrades boss says quality and dedication of his table toppers is frightening

BALLYCLARE are back on top of the Championship and manager Clifford Adams believes his charges have what it takes to be there come the end of the season.

Saturday’s win at Portadown continued the Comrades fine start to the season, which has seen them lose only one of their opening nine league outings.

“We’re on the right path for what we are trying to achieve this season,” Adams stated.

“We deserve to be where we are after our start and our aim is to be in the same position come the end of the season.

“We had a spell in September when we had three draws when in each of those games we fully deserved the three points but we weren’t taking our chances.

“The only game we deserved to lose was the one we have lost – against the PSNI earlier in the season – and the game was effectively over in the first 10 minutes.

“We just didn’t turn up for that game and we were rightfully punished, but for that to have happened only once in two months is encouraging.”

So what has been the secret to the strong start to their campaign? Adams, who was appointed to the position in March, believes the attitude of the players has been the key factor.

“Every team might say this but our players are genuinely going the extra mile,” he continued.

“The competition within the squad has motivated them all and there’s been no complaining and they’ve all been working hard for their place.

“Outside of Portadown, it’s unusual to have a squad of this size at this level but it’s a selection headache a manager wants to have and it benefits the players.

“We’re honest with the players and we want them to know exactly what the situation is and what they could be doing better.

“We’re a young side and it bodes very well, a lot of the signings we made were focused on youth and there’s definitely a few of them who went under the radar.

“I’m pleased with how they’re coping with what we’re asking of them, not just in terms of performance but their attitude is first class.”

The former Wakehurst boss stated upon his appointment his priority was to strengthen the side’s defence –which is the second strongest in the division – while at the other end, ten different players have found the net for the Comrades this cam- paign. “That points towards everyone in the side doing their share,” added Adams, right.

“It alleviates some of the pressure from the strikers – we’ve plenty of goals from midfielders while our defenders are a threat from set pieces.

“Defensively I couldn’t fault the boys for their work this season, they’ve put in a lot of hours on the training pitch into getting the shape right and they’re well drilled. Last season this team were conceding too many goals but now there’s been a notable improvement and it’s one of the best defensive records in the league.”

“We’ve been playing three at the back recently and it’s been working very well

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