Positivity the cure to Sam’s hangover
COUNTY defender Sam Minihan says he is looking forward to “kicking on” with The Hatters, after the 23-yearold penned a two year contract extension last week at Edgeley Park.
The reigning Young Player of the Year proved a big hit with the County faithful after joining the club last summer from Worcester City, and boss Jim Gannon was quick to secure the services of the marauding wing-back for a further two campaigns with the club.
Minihan again looks set to be a mainstay once again in the Hatters’ promotion-chasing squad for the coming season, but revealed that the remaining players from last season suffered a “summer hangover”, after missing out on the National League North play-offs by one goal on the final day of the 2016/17 campaign.
But, after seeing the club bounce back from the high-profile departures of key men Danny Lloyd and Lewis Montrose, the right-sided defender was quick to look at the positives.
County are set to find out their fixtures for the 2017/18 campaign today (Wednesday 5th July) as the Express went to print, and Minihan believes the Hatters squad is stronger than ever.
“If I’m being honest, there was a bit of a hangover during the summer, a case of ‘what could have been.’ To miss out by one goal was tough to take, but we do take positives. We had the best defensive record in the league, conceded the least goals, and we do feel there are a lot of positives to take into this year.”
“We’re looking in a really good place. Naturally everybody was gutted to lose Lewis and Danny, but it’s credit to the players we’ve brought in because the feeling is really positive,” explained Minihan.
Gannon has gradually strengthened his squad over the close-season, with the impressive additions of Tranmere winger Darren Stephenson on a two-year deal, as well as Newtown striker Jason Oswell from the Welsh Premier League - and Minihan has been impressed with his new teammates so far as County head into their opening pre-season friendly this weekend at Cheadle Heath Nomads.
“We’re feeling like a unit already, if not feeling stronger than before. There’s a really good atmosphere around the place and we’ve only just met a lot of the new lads, but the team morale is there and everyone looks sharp, so things are looking good.”
Minihan grabbed three goals last season in an impressive debut campaign, but after securing his new deal at Edgeley Park, the former Rochdale youngster is looking forward to an even more impressive second season with County, as the club seek to make it out of the National League North at the fifth time of asking.
“On a personal level, I just want to kick on and keep improving. Under Jim, I feel that I’m constantly growing which is the main thing for me. Obviously you set little personal targets; I scored three last season and want to get a few more along with more assists. But to just keep improving personally and as a unit is the most important thing, bouncing off each other as we have done in training and to keep kicking on,” Minihan enthused.
“I can’t wait to get started, I’m made up to sign the contract and stay with County; it’s a great club with a great set of fans and the lads are looking really good, so it’s a great place to be.”