THE GNP SPORTS MANAGER SHAMIR ALAM LOOKS BACK AT THE 1-6 VICTORY ON THE ROAD AT FECKENHAM...

So, Feckenham... How much of a threat were they? 

"Going into the game, Feckenham's results and performances had started to pick up and it took injury-time winners by both Boldmere and Coton to defeat them, so we knew we had to be at our best. Unluckily for Feckenham, we were very close to our best. 

I’m really pleased with the players, as they are responding to what we are asking of them. I won’t give away all our secrets but before the game we had a plan on how we wanted to play and approach the game, and both were achieved. It takes a lot to demoralise a team and in the last 20 minutes, Feckenham's players wanted the game to end and all credit goes to the boys with how well and quickly they moved the ball." 

Again only a goal conceded, so would you say your defence has begun to settle more these days?

"As a team we are getting better without the ball; in September we conceded 15 goals, in October we conceded 7, and during November to date only 2, so we are heading in the right directon. 

A combination of Lee working with the 'keepers and the weekly high intensity defensive drills we are doing is helping us defend our goal better. However, as said previously, there is still work to do until we get clean sheet on a weekly basis."

Another trio for Rawlings. Pleasing performance by him?

"The goal drought is over! He could have had 4 or 5 but his unselfishness aided players around him to get on the scoresheet. It’s incredible that when he doesn’t score a 'hatty' people are talking and that’s the standard he has set himself. Tommy knows there is no pressure from anyone at the club, as long as he keeps working hard up-top and tactically follows the plan. And then we will be happy..." 

Which players impressed you and why? And who gets your 'man-of-the-match' vote?

"Brennan King deserves a massive mention; his pressing and linking between midfield and attack produced one of the best performances we have had by any player in a GNP shirt. I think the fact that Feckenham kicked him from head to toe all game says how dangerous he was and how smart he was at finding gaps and space! 

However, Tommy Rawlings is M.O.M. As I’ve mentioned above, just beacuse Tommy is getting a hat-trick in most games, we shouldn’t forget the fact of how difficult it is to achieve and do what he’s currently doing. Tommy has now scored more goals than 8 teams in our league have scored all season in total." 

Is the squad settled, or do you anticipate changes over the coming weeks? 

"You never know what’s round the corner; the team has been consistent in terms of team selection as we have only averaged 2 or 3 changes each game. That in itself comes with its problems, as its means that we have 7 or 8 players not starting but my message is simple: be patient and keep working hard. We enter a busy December and I need every player if we are to to be successful. 

Those lads can be part of something special, bigger than themselves and play for GNP, the hardest working and honest squad of players around, or be a big fish in a small team..." 

Next up? And how is the table looking?

"I think Boldmere face Moors Academy next week and Northfield face Coton Green. Both Boldmere and Northfield can probably expect an easy game as both are at home and are the form sides in the league, so anything but 3 points would be a shock in truth. We have a tough fixture versus BGS, like we experienced in the Cup a few months ago. We look forward to welcoming GJ and his players." 

Yours in football...

Shamir Alam, Manager, GNP Sports...