PEACOCKS’ PRIDE WILL SEE IT OUT
KEITH EMMERSON says there will be no easing up as Taunton Town inch towards automatic promotion from the EVO-STIK South West.
The Peacocks’ 1-1 draw with Bideford on Tuesday night stretched their unbeaten run to 21 games while moving them 20 points clear of thirdplace and 13 above second-place Salisbury.
With two teams set to go up from Step 4 as part of the FA’s restructuring, Leigh Robinson’s side have Step 3 in their sights.
But Emmerson, who serves in the Royal Army Physical Training Corps, says everyone in the squad is so determined to help them over the line that complacency won’t become an issue.
“Because we’re in that strong position, the lads understand what’s needed,” he told The NLP. “The gaffer doesn’t care about what reputation you’ve got, if you’re not performing then you might find yourself on the bench.
“He doesn’t mind bringing new players in because, while the plan is this season, he’s got an eye on next season. If he can bring quality now then he’s more than happy to. He’s already brought in one and let someone go. He won’t settle for anything less than 100 per cent.
“The lads are giving that at the minute and the lads who haven’t quite been there have had the warning across the bows if they want to be part of the club they’ve got to be at it every week.
“He understands people are going to have bad games and that happens, but he won’t settle for anything less than 100 per cent dedication to the cause.
“We’re fortunate that we’ve got a depth in the squad of lads who can play in a variety of different positions. No one is really safe and that’s a good thing as a player because you’ve got to keep your levels up. When you’ve got 16 players all fighting to be in that starting XI, you’re going to get the best out of everyone.”
Emmerson, 35, joined Taunton from Southern Premier Farnborough in January, and been welcomed into the new changing room.
Ethos
And he says the strength of the inner sanctum at Wordsworth Drive was evident immediately.
“They’ve got a wealth of knowledge of staff there, including the likes of (assistant) Michael Meaker who has been a pro for many years,” said Emmerson, who has captained the British Army side.
“Having someone like that around the changing room is always a good thing because he’s got good inside knowledge and experience – that wears off on the lads.
“The lads they’ve brought in are very good players, who have played at Steps 3 and 2, and having that with the youth means the balance is right.
“There are no big time players in there – we all believe in that one ethos and we all work hard for each other. Being part of that is a good thing for me.”