Dev’s missing the buzz but still has an impact
Alan Devonshire admitted this week he’s missing the buzz and adrenaline rush of managing Maidenhead United from the touchline but, as he continues to recuperate from hip surgery, he says watching their matches from home is ‘the next best thing’.
Devonshire has been forced to put his feet up on doctors’ orders after undergoing a complicated hip operation last month and, while he’s been calling through to the bench during matches to talk tactics and substitutions, he hasn’t been able to return to the dugout. He’s missed half a dozen matches since undergoing the operation but hopes to be back with the team for their FA Trophy tie away to Weymouth next weekend (December 19).
He admits his recovery has been slower than anticipated and frustrating, but the side’s form has been reasonably good in his absence. Tuesday’s defeat at
Torquay was only their second in 10 matches and they remain fourth in the table.
“It’s getting there,” he said. “It’s very sore and it’s been a bit more complicated than they thought it was going to be so it’s taking a bit longer to recover.
“It (this period) hasn’t been great, but I’ve been talking to the boys all the time and have been picking the team and all that. Ryan (Peters), Aaron (O’Brien) and Eddie (Keen) have been passing on what I want them to pass on. It isn’t ideal but, to be fair to the guys, the form has been good. We’ve only lost one in nine matches.
“It’s handy that we won four matches on the bounce before I went in for surgery and they’ve been able to carry that on. I think the boys felt under pressure to keep that run of form going.
“I’ll be back at the games soon. Probably after Tuesday when we have a 10-day break before playing in the FA Trophy. That break will be good for us, I think. I think that missing the game on Tuesday last week against Dover helped us against Eastleigh where we looked fresh.”
Eddie Keen has been the man on the bench who’s been taking Devonshire’s calls during matches. He then feeds on the manager’s information to Aaron O’Brien and assistant boss Ryan Peters. Devonshire says he’s missing the buzz of being at the ground but said it’s just something he must deal with.
“Eddie keeps his phone on, and he passes the things I say on to the other two boys,” he said. “It’s not the same as being there but watching on the TV is the next best thing isn’t it. There’s not a lot I can do about it. I’m restricted in terms of what I can do. Until the hip is up and running it’s just something I must deal with.
“You don’t get the same buzz when the team scores because you’re not there and you can’t get involved as much at home. But we’ve done ok and hopefully we’ll get all the boys back from injury after Tuesday (Torquay United game).”
Devonshire added: “I don’t really know what my best side is yet because I haven’t been able to pick from a full squad,” he said. “We’re pleased with the way it’s going though, and we’ve just got to take things one game at a time.
“Injuries will take their toll, but that’s why we’ve got a bigger squad than we’ve ever had before and there’s more competition for places which is also healthy. We can’t take anything for granted as this league is relentless.”