Rusthall FC - 1st Team - Managers Notes

Managers Notes

25th October 2007
Someone somewhere out there is trying to test me, I am sure of that! Our injury list has been ridiculous of late. I just hope we have used up all our bad luck for this season already!

Lee Speirs is a long term casualty, but I am hoping he'll be back training before Christmas. James Mills is still having ankle problems and Kevin Brown needs an op on his groin. We'll keep assessing these two as often as possible. Hopefully Browny will get his op done as soon as is possible.

The others are less long term, although Stocky could be out for a while. I am praying his shoulder keeps getting better each day.

Nick Coxon should be back next week, but the good news is that Stu Hunter, Martin Millins and Andy Myles will all travel to Crockenhil this weekend.

Last weekend, we lost to Snodland, our first defeat in two months. It was a bad day at the office as we never got going. We lost to a good strike, although the lad clearly handballed it but fair play to him, while everyone appealed, he played as there was no whistle.

Credit to Snodland as they battled hard, and their centre back Ashley Russell was outstanding.
For now we go to Crockenhill this weekend. They may not be having the best season, but they have only lost by the odd goal at home, so we are expecting a very tough game. We have trained well this week and the lads know they owe each other a performance this week. We know we need to approach this game in the most professional way we can, and be focussed and ensure we get the job done.

5th October 2007
Last week we travelled to Coney Hall and somehow got out with a point. Although I was disappointed with how we played, its good that we can still pick up points when we don’t play well. Coney were a very hard working side and were bang up for playing us. I felt while we dominated the first half, the second half belonged to them. The referee was awful for both sides, highlighted by him giving us a late penalty when the ball struck their players face (although to be fair we should have had 3 earlier penalties) and he was consequently sent off. I have told Coney that I will back their appeal if need be in getting the dismissal over turned.

Jamie McKenna and Martin Millins came into the side last week and both performed well. The comeptition for places is now red hot and that’s what I want. Whilst selection headaches are hard, its also great to see so many players want a starting shirt.

Sadly Lee Speirs is out now for some time having broken his metatarsal, so if you see him hobbling around Jockey Farm on matchdays please don’t buy him burgers or beer as we will work hard to get him fit when he is ready.

This Saturday we play Hollands and Blair. They are an excellent footballing side and its obvious to know why they are up the top end of the table. It will be a huge test for both sides and its one I know we are looking forward to.

27th September 2007
6 games in and we are on 11 points. The last few weeks have seen us work hard to start picking up some good results. We are all enjoying it at the moment, and its easy to when you are playing well. The key thing is now not to get carried away, as there is a hell of a long way to go. We must approach one game at a time and forget anything else. Each game must be treated the same no matter who the opposition is, and I expect us all to prepare each game in a professional manner.

I believe in giving credit where it is due, and again last week the lads were excellent in picking up 3 points at Orpington, its not an easy place to go and win. For me there were a few very pleasing things. Firstly we scored two fantastic goals, both real quality. Defensively we were excellent, and that includes Phils contribution, as he pulled off a couple of decent saves. But the thing that pleased me the most was the work the lads put in for each other. Watching them graft for each other to get the ball back and fill in for each other where necessary highlighted to me what a great ethic we have here.

This weekend we travel to Coney Hall. It is a bit of a trip into the unknown as they are new to our league having come across from the Combined Counties league. Their form has been up and down, but make no mistake this will be a tough test for us and anyone who goes there. They have decent support and will fancy themselves at home every time. We expect a physical tight game, but we are looking forward to it.

It would be great to see as much support there for us as possible because as I keep saying we all really appreciate it.

Hugo

20th September 2007 - To date I have now been at the club for the best part of three months, and I have to say I have enjoyed every minute of it. It's clear to me we have a brilliant squad, not just the first team, but also the reserves.

Everyones attitude has been spot on to date, and its brilliant to be at a club where everyone wants and believes in the same thing. We all want to see the club progress on and off the field, and there's no question we are all heading in this direction.

I have brought in several new faces in to the club, mostly for the first team but also a couple who are currently in the reserves, and its great to see they are all loving life at the club and I know they are all chuffed at how welcome they have been made.

On the pitch overall I am pleased. We have picked up some good results, with the only blip being against a very well organised but direct Fleet Lesiure side, who like to stifle rather than play football. I believe now we have the depth required in a squad to be successful, and it's a testament to the players that when they are left out of the first team they are disappointed. Its great everyone wants to play, but we have a long season and we need this quality in depth.

Looking ahead now we have two good away games, starting at Orpington this week and Coney Hall the next. We are looking forward to both. If you can come and cheer us on, the lads I know would really appreciate it.