WE’RE BACK TO THE BLEEP TEST
I’M GETTING used to pre-season as a manager these days. But it’s just as hard work in the dug-out making sure my Radcliffe are going to be ready for when football returns.
There is a season start date pencilled in for September. Of course we know that may change, but for now we’re going to work towards that date. If there’s a delay, we’ll adjust. You have to be adaptable.
It’s been a strange period for all of us. Initially we kept in regular contact through a group chat.
Recently we’ve been training every Saturday – with social distancing and in small groups. Not for pre-season proper but just passing and fitness drills. We got them to do the dreaded bleep test last weekend.
I’ve got a young, fit squad. I’ve told them they are ahead of where we need to be fitness wise but we’ve still got to do the work. So we’ve taken down all their bleep test scores and they all have a month to get better. The pressure is on!
Aspirations
This week we had a session on the running track. It makes it easy to keep them all away from each other.
I’m really pleased with our summer signings so far. On paper it looks a good balance – you never fully know until they cross that white line but it’s encouraging.
We’ve got some really good youngsters – I genuinely think some have got a chance of getting into the Football League. Players like Kole Hall and Jo Cummings really offer us something.
Every position I wanted to recruit in I have, so far. We’ve brought in the experience of Andy Owens, who used to be at Southport and has been playing in Wales for Airbus. He played under Liam Watson at Southport and you can also be sure those teams know how to win games of football.
I’ve always liked him. He brings a presence to teams. He’s horrible to play against. He backs into defenders using his arms and his bum to make space. He gives us a focus and that will allow players like Kole and Rhian Hellawell to work around him.
We’ve also got two quick wing-backs in Raheem Hanley and Curtis Obeng.
I played with Curtis at Wrexham and he was with me and Nicky Eaden at Nuneaton. It’s been difficult for him. He was flying at Wrexham and got a deserved move to Swansea. But it just didn’t quite work out for him there or some other clubs since.
There’s hard luck in there and perhaps there’s a bit of resentment that he hasn’t played as much as he would want. Now, for me, the reality needs to be, ‘You’re now a part-time footballer who works full-time’. It’s the same for any player going through that transition. You still can keep your professionalism and aspirations, but you have to accept the situation.
Athleticism
When he does that we will see the best of Curtis Obeng. He’s still fit, he’s still as quick as he was. He doesn’t drink. He’s a vegan, he looks after himself so well and his athleticism is still there. Crucially, the ability is still there. I’ve seen that with my own eyes. So nothing has really changed, it’s just about him enjoying playing for us. The reason I’ve signed the players I have is because they are people I will enjoy working with but also I know they will enjoy working with me.
I want to create a place where if you’re on £50-a-week or £500-a-week – which no one is on, by the way – you work hard and have fun.
Some lads like to play football just get away from it all. Others bring their problems from home or work with them. But I always say to them that as soon as they come into us you must work hard for each other, do the best you can, and have a smile on your face. Because football has been and gone before you know it. I’d love to be 20 years of age and playing again!