THE MOWDOG INTERVIEWS SHAMIR ALAM, THE MANAGER OF MFL DIVISION 2 NEWCOMERS, GNP SPORTS...

You have completed a fine first season. How do you feel about the success now, on reflection? 

"It’s gone now and a thing of the past. My players need to realise that this season teams will raise their games another 20% just for playing GNP. Everyone wants to beat us and perform well against us, so it’s important the players remember that and can perform under that pressure each week."

You have begun training, so how has that seemed so far?

"Nobody has been sick yet, so maybe I’m going soft or the players have come back fitter and stronger like I’ve asked them to. I’m pretty sure it’s the latter of the two though... We have had four, two-hour sessions in the past seven days, so the intensity has been really impressive but that notches up now as the countdown begins for our first pre-season 'friendly' game which is on Saturday 7th July." 

Can you talk me through any outgoings from the club over the summer? 

"Yeah, Leigh Phillips has joined Coventry Sphinx, Josh O'Grady, Scotty Hammond and Matty Compton have also departed but I will let them announce their own new clubs out of respect to them. That’s been due to a combination of not being able to offer regular starts and players looking for a new challenge but they all served a purpose and were great last season and I wish them all the best." 

Any signings you can announce and what will these guys bring to your club?

"Anyone on Twitter has seen we have been busy and we have 19 signed on now. I was keen to do my business really early as every minute of pre-season training is crucial to prepare us for 11th August. We have retained 90% of the squad and added some real quality but I don’t think it’s right to name anyone in particular. However, we have a stronger squad than last year and we will be ready for whatever Division 2 wants to try and throw at us..."

You had appointed a new coach, Danny Janes; what were your thoughts behind that? Danny then changed his mind, so how did you react to that shock?

"Danny and I speak each day and will remain close friends but his decision was purely down to travel and I wish him all the best at Studley. He is one of the best up and coming managers and I have no doubt that we will be working together in the future."

Which teams do you think will challenge GNP in League 2?

"I don’t think it’s our place to challenge anyone or anything, for Feckenham, Barnt Green Spartak, Hampton and Fairfield Villa have been in Division 2 for some years now. A few of the managers are probably feeling the pressure from their chairmen to finally get out of this league. 

For us, we will have a look at where we are at around Christmas time and go from there but don’t be surprised if the above four and maybe Northfield take the league by storm. They will be more physical and bigger than us, which might take us a few months to get used to.

Yours in football..."

Sham Alam, Manager, GNP Sports...