"It was important for us to see a reaction from the players, firstly in the result and then the performance and we got both, so I’m pleased it’s another win in the league. Now onto the next game."
You sent out a strong outfit during the week beneath lights but despite dominating, you were beaten by sucker punches, I believe?
"Yeah we were very comfortable, first-half; the 'keeper made 3 or 4 decent saves, we hit the woodwork and should have had two penalties but more pleasing for me was that we kept the ball for 70% of that half. Credit to Woodlands though, they took the two chances they had and there wasn’t really the big GNP finish we have been so used to seeing. Good luck to Woodlands in the next round!"
On Saturday, Stuart Hendrie returned, was involved in assisting and also netted a brace. I am sure you must have been pleased to welcome him back?
"Of course, he’s been out for 4 weeks and his injury couldn’t have come at a worse time. He had been fully recovered from his pre-season injury, he was scoring goals and playing well but that’s behind us now, for we are all just happy to have him back and I want to see him leading that goalscoring table by the middle of October!"
How did the Earlswood game pan out? A clean sheet too...
"We controlled and dominated the match. I felt we could have had 7 or 8 goals in truth and some of the attacking play really started to come together. The midfield unit covered so much ground for us and are now starting to control the tempo, whereas finally the defensive unit was solid. Earlswood probably had more chances than I would have liked but it was a solid defensive performance and they deserved the clean sheet! Obviously that was our 3rd game in 7 days, so credit to our thin squad and all the best to Earlswood for the rest of the season."
Your men-of-the-matches for the Woodlands and Earlswood games? Why did they earn those accolades?
"Lewis Marston (Woodlands Game) was one of the few positive on Wednesday. After breaking his wrist he didn’t have a pre-season, so it’s been a bit stop-start for him. However I still thought in the games Marston has played, he needed to be better. He really has been top notch this past week though, he’s aggressive in the middle, his energy levels are among the best in the team and his passing is getting sharper. The challenge now for him is to chip in with a few goals and maintain his level of performance, as there are 2 or 3 centre-midfielders waiting patiently to take his shirt.
Scott Davis (Earlswood Game...) Our man-mountain 'keeper is still a baby in terms of men’s football and sometimes that is forgotten due to his stature. He’s only 18/19 years old and has had a tough week or so but he has shown good emotional resilience to bounce back and put in a confident performance. We all know the goalie role is the hardest on the football pitch but Scott has shown good maturity this week. There have been no excuses from him and he wanted to put things right on Saturday, which he did! He has to go and do that again now on Wednesday... "
The injury situation?
"Hoping we are starting to turn a corner... We welcomed 3 back this week but still have 6 to return and then the real fun will begin for me in regards team selection. I can’t see too many division 2 clubs having the 8 or 9 injuries we have suffered and still been able to maintain the wins, so I’m really pleased I have a mentally tough set of players."
So, how are you finding Division 2, generally?
"We have had a great start in terms of our results and how we have managed the injury situation but the performances are nowhere near where I believe we have the potential to play, nowhere near. We have to keep improving and working at how I want the lads to play and set up because if we don’t, then we all know what can happen. .."
Cup again on Wednesday v Shepshed... Your thoughts?
"Tough, tough game versus a team in the Premier division. I will set the team up to go and win, express itself and have fun whilst playing, but also ensure that tactically we are better than Shepshed. It should be a good game because we won’t be looking at containing them, that’s for sure!"
Yours in football...
Shamir Alam, Manager, GNP Sports...
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