Jim’s looking up
COUNTY boss Jim Gannon warned his side that a “big improvement” in away form will be needed as The Hatters seek to fight their way back into the National League North play-off mix.
Gannon was quick to praise his much-improved side after the 1-0 win over neighbours Curzon Ashton in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round on Saturday.
Adam Thomas’ secondhalf winner proved a much-needed tonic to County’s recent league struggles, with defeats to York and Telford on the road seeing The Hatters slip to 13th in the league standings.
“It was a very professional display by the lads. We have to give credit to Curzon, they were aggressive and energetic in the first half and went about their business well,” he said.
“I said to the lads at half-time they wouldn’t be able to keep that intensity up all game, so it was on us to keep working them, keep stretching the play - and it was down to our ability to do both sides of the game in each half that we won the match.
“I’m pleased because the lads have stepped up on all the things we asked them to – whether it’s set pieces, or getting the ball into wide positions and getting balls into the box.”
Thomas’ 52nd minute winner capped a dream comeback to Edgeley Park action for the young winger, who made only his third start in 14 months after suffering a seasonending cruciate ligament injury last campaign.
Thomas was utilised as a right-back on his return to league action in the 3-2 reverse at Telford, but Gannon heaped praise on the 22 year-old, who earned man of the match for his match-winning exploits.
The Hatters boss also revealed that the club have offered their senior players the opportunity to train twice more per week with the County Academy squad – with Thomas one of the first to snap up the offer.
“I’ve got great faith in Adam as a player and a person - I’ve been in a situation where I did my cruciate playing for this club and I was discarded, and we weren’t going to do that for Adam.
“He’s repaying that faith we have in him. He’s really showing what he has to offer to this team after a really tough time,” said Gannon. “Adam was one player who did at Telford what we’ve been asking regularly – if you’re coming up against big defences, don’t play it long. He created two wellworked goals on the night with low pullbacks, and we saw that throughout the team on Saturday.
“We can see that the players are slowly understanding the logic behind my methodologies, and the team are improving as a result of their developing.”
Gannon revealed that video analysis as well as strength and conditioning sessions with fitness coach Nick Donnelly were also playing a big part in the County campaign this year.
The club’s current parttime status has been a topic of discussion for months around Edgeley Park, and Gannon suggested plans were afoot for a ‘hybrid’ status at the club, with a mixture of full-time and part-time playing staff.
“We’ve thrown a lot at the lads over the summer – we’ve got video analysis now, we’ve got strength and conditioning programmes, and we’re offering lads the chance to come and train on Mondays and Fridays when the Academy lads train.
“We’re giving them all the tools which professional footballers have in order to develop, and the ones who take these opportunities and take it all on board will be the ones who have the best chance to progress in their careers,” Gannon said.
County were handed yet another home draw – their tenth successive Edgeley Park tie in cup competitions – this time against the winner of the Second Qualifying Round, either National League North rivals FC United of Manchester or Handsworth FC, on Saturday 30th September.
“I’m not really thinking about the FA Cup or the draw at the moment - it’s onto North Ferriby at home this weekend,” said Gannon. “I’m looking at our home form and thinking we’ve had five and half clean sheets in six games, obviously unbeaten still, the lads are enjoying the atmosphere and energy around Edgeley Park - I’m really pleased with what we’re doing here, but we all want to get back to winning ways in the league and Saturday offers us a fantastic opportunity to do that.”