Jim’s focus on positive
COUNTY boss Jim Gannon chose to reflect on the “progress” his side have made this season, after The Hatters suffered play-off disappointment in a 1-0 quarter-final defeat to Chorley at Edgeley Park.
Jason Walker’s secondhalf header was enough to give Matt Jansen’s perennial play-off participants the win in front of more than 6,000 people, bringing The Hatters’ first playoff campaign in a decade to a swift end.
“I know fans will go away disappointed and perhaps critical, but we’ve made progress this year and now we’re already looking to build on this.
“This time next year I want us fighting hard for promotion and right in the mix, and I know we can do that.
“I didn’t say too much to the lads. It’s not a time for recriminations or inquests into anything that went wrong, we just thank the lads for all their efforts over the season.
“We have to give credit to Matt Jansen and Chorley, because they’re a good side and they answered everything we threw at them,” Gannon said.
“We needed the first goal, so that was always the danger for us against a solid side.”
Gannon came under criticism from some quarters for a perceived poor game plan against a Chorley side which neither score nor concede many goals – with a 1-0 scoreline to either side being the overwhelming favourite with the pre-match bookmakers.
Gannon began the restructuring of his squad instantly following the defeat, with lackadaisical midfielder Bohan Dixon released from the club with immediate effect – with Gannon explaining that The Hatters had opted not to exercise an option to retain the former Fylde man for a further season.
Fellow midfielder Sam Walker has returned from a loan spell to begin the second year of his two-year deal at Edgeley Park, having spent much of 2018 on loan at neighbours Curzon Ashton – whilst defender Jamie Stott has returned to parent club Oldham Athletic.
Meanwhile, supporters have turned their focus to potential incomings at Edgeley Park, with the often-linked forward Tom Denton once again subject to rumours of an approach having been released by National League side Halifax Town.