Murray: ‘It’s all a work in progress’
Burnham FC: Manager Ben is confident Blues will develop and improve
Sitting in 16th place of the Combined Counties Premier Division North with one draw and one loss is undoubtedly a far cry from where Ben Murray would like Burnham FC to be. But for the manager who joined in January, it’s still ‘work in progress’ at the 1878 Stadium.
The Blues began their league season with a 4-1 defeat at Hilltop (August 13) before they put in a hugely improved display on home turf against Egham Town (August 17), drawing 2-2 against the outfit now in eighth.
While supporters will be disgruntled with their team’s dearth of a win, they must understand Burnham are in something of a transition phase as assistant manager Kavi Luchowa has keenly emphaised in recent weeks.
Within the midst of pre-season, the Blues brought in two central midfielders, a couple of full-backs, and a winger, while they also said goodbye popular figure Harvey Pope and talisman Firas Chinba with the duo now competing abroad.
“As all managers say at this stage of a season, it’s all a work in progress and will continue to be for our group for the season,” said Murray in a club statement.
“Each game in this competitive division is different. There are so many different styles of teams that we come up against. Some are direct, some play, some are very random in their approach and some would prefer to have a scrap to get the result.
“That’s what makes this level of football unique to any other.
“Our first few games have seen us play against all different types of teams, all teams who will be looking to have strong seasons, like us.
“Easington in the FA Cup (August 6) was a great learning experience for our group, something we are stronger for now.
“We came off the pitch after the penalty shootout to applause not only from our travelling fans but the home ones too who were very complimentary about our style of play – which although it’s nice to hear feels empty without the result that it deserved, and we have focused on this in the few weeks leading after that game.
“Our Wednesday night game against Egham was a massive improvement on our levels in every department. Some of our phases that we played were really impressive and our passion and resolve to play that way for the duration of the game was rewarding in a point, which was the least that we deserved from the performance.
“The game felt different. It was the first time where I felt our group played like men, if you get what I mean. It felt like the penny had dropped and we look forward to our next few games to see our development continue.”
Murray added: “Next time, I will update you on how the squad is progressing and looking more in depth into our new players we have in the squad.
“In the meantime, it would be great to see as many of you as possible at our next two home games in the County Cup and FA Vase two games that we are really looking forward to.”
Burnham were due to play Woodley United in the County
Cup last night (Wednesday). They will then host London Samurai Rovers in the FA Vase this weekend (Saturday).