Boss Herbert calls for an immediate return to intensity
PACESETTING Runcorn Town enjoyed a week off to recover and prepare for their next fixture at home against Congleton Town this Saturday afternoon.
Chris Herbert’s side have made a sensational start to the season and are flying at the top of the Hallmark Security League Premier Division table with a perfect nine victories from their first nine matches and 27 points in the bag.
However, a few injury knocks and a bit of fatigue had started to kick in during their most recent win, a 5-2 triumph over Maine Road.
Manager Herbert was relieved his side were able to have a week off and he said he awarded his players the rest they deserved.
“I gave the lads a few extra days off to recover and rest,” said Herbert.
“They have worked hard to get to where they have got to at this stage of the season. They also had to work hard to get that big win over Maine Road in the last game.
“We have all caught up on some rest so we have been back in training, working hard for our next game.
“We are already building up to Congleton on Saturday and looking to get that intensity back straight away. When you have a break for as long as we have, it can sometimes take a little while to get back into the swing of things.
“We have to make sure we don’t do that but we will be prepared for Congleton and we won’t take them for granted.”
Town host Congleton at Pavilions on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) before travelling to Winsford United on Monday (kick-off 7.45pm) as they get straight back into a heavy fixture schedule.
Herbert is expecting a tough game on Saturday and has identified Congleton’s attacking players as their biggest threat. “Congleton are a good side,” said Herbert. “They have some good young players going forward. They are a handful and they score lots of goals but we have the same in our front three.
“Our attack is the best in the league in my opinion so I know we can cause them just as much problems, if not more.
“It’s massively important that we keep our attacking players firing this season as before Maine Road they were the only players scoring for us.
“I have told the players I want to get goals from other areas of the pitch and they showed that they can in our last match so hopefully that can continue. Everyone is fit and ready for selection this weekend. Anyone who did have little niggles are all fit now.
“We will work on our shape at training and then we will be ready for Saturday.” ●