Andy Targets Improvement For West
Wed 22nd October 2014 | West Didsbury & Chorlton | By Ian Templeman
After a bad run of defeats during August and September, West Didsbury & Chorlton manager Andy Nelson is happy with the way in which his squad have turned the season round.
West suffered seven straight defeats during August and September, but since then have won seven out of ten games to move into a comfortable mid-table position. But as Andy explained, there were some mitigating factors that contributed to the poor early form.
"We have a lot of teachers in the squad and at the start of the season we had a problem at times as a lot of players were away. We went to Runcorn Linnets with nine players missing, and you can't go into a game like that with that number missing.
"We have had our fair share of bad luck too, we have been on the wrong end of some big decisions.
"I don't want that to sound like there are sour grapes, these decisions pan out over the course of a season and I'm not criticising referees. It's just that so far, unfortunately the big decisions are the ones we haven't got.
"We have also had some bad injuries. We lost our captain Mark Rogers to a bad injury right at the start of the season, and that was a big blow.
"You are not just losing a player, you are losing the leader on the pitch, and it was something that took everyone back a bit. But we knew when the players all came back that we would turn the corner".
Over the past few weeks results for West have indeed improved, and are all the more impressive given that a number of the squad have made the step up from the club's youth ranks.
"It's not easy to keep getting results and at the same time give young lads that bit of experience, you have to try and balance the two", said Andy. "Without a big budget, which we don't have, the next generation has to be getting ready. You won't get them ready by keeping them way below the first team, so we keep integrating them.
"We've brought in six or seven this year who were playing no more than parks football last year and that is a big step up, but if you don't allow them to get that chance you won't have them ready.
"We are looking to start and academy next year, which will bring more young players to the club. On top of that, the youth team are doing well in the North West Alliance, playing the likes of Southport and Salford City. Going to Wrexham in the FA Youth Cup was a great buzz for them and everyone at the club.
"One of the lads that played in that game came on late on Saturday against Barnoldswick Town, and we are trying to do that with the young players, and introduce them when we can".
Looking ahead to the rest of the season, Andy is targeting improvement on last season's 12th place finish.
"We do play some very nice football, and I am dead chuffed with the way we have been playing", he said. "We try and play the right way and have some good players. The challenge now is to keep it going.
"We've had a bit of interest in some of our players and I understand that. If I was a manager of a club with a budget, I'd come and watch us.
"The run we have just had saw us second in the form guide before we lost at AFC Liverpool, and although we lost we played very well there too.
"If we can keep a settled squad we can definitely finish half way again and trouble any side on our day".
Andy Targets Improvement For West
Wed 22nd October 2014 | West Didsbury & Chorlton
By Ian Templeman
After a bad run of defeats during August and September, West Didsbury & Chorlton manager Andy Nelson is happy with the way in which his squad have turned the season round.
West suffered seven straight defeats during August and September, but since then have won seven out of ten games to move into a comfortable mid-table position. But as Andy explained, there were some mitigating factors that contributed to the poor early form.
"We have a lot of teachers in the squad and at the start of the season we had a problem at times as a lot of players were away. We went to Runcorn Linnets with nine players missing, and you can't go into a game like that with that number missing.
"We have had our fair share of bad luck too, we have been on the wrong end of some big decisions.
"I don't want that to sound like there are sour grapes, these decisions pan out over the course of a season and I'm not criticising referees. It's just that so far, unfortunately the big decisions are the ones we haven't got.
"We have also had some bad injuries. We lost our captain Mark Rogers to a bad injury right at the start of the season, and that was a big blow.
"You are not just losing a player, you are losing the leader on the pitch, and it was something that took everyone back a bit. But we knew when the players all came back that we would turn the corner".
Over the past few weeks results for West have indeed improved, and are all the more impressive given that a number of the squad have made the step up from the club's youth ranks.
"It's not easy to keep getting results and at the same time give young lads that bit of experience, you have to try and balance the two", said Andy. "Without a big budget, which we don't have, the next generation has to be getting ready. You won't get them ready by keeping them way below the first team, so we keep integrating them.
"We've brought in six or seven this year who were playing no more than parks football last year and that is a big step up, but if you don't allow them to get that chance you won't have them ready.
"We are looking to start and academy next year, which will bring more young players to the club. On top of that, the youth team are doing well in the North West Alliance, playing the likes of Southport and Salford City. Going to Wrexham in the FA Youth Cup was a great buzz for them and everyone at the club.
"One of the lads that played in that game came on late on Saturday against Barnoldswick Town, and we are trying to do that with the young players, and introduce them when we can".
Looking ahead to the rest of the season, Andy is targeting improvement on last season's 12th place finish.
"We do play some very nice football, and I am dead chuffed with the way we have been playing", he said. "We try and play the right way and have some good players. The challenge now is to keep it going.
"We've had a bit of interest in some of our players and I understand that. If I was a manager of a club with a budget, I'd come and watch us.
"The run we have just had saw us second in the form guide before we lost at AFC Liverpool, and although we lost we played very well there too.
"If we can keep a settled squad we can definitely finish half way again and trouble any side on our day".
