Irlam Looking Good
Tue 22nd September 2015 | Irlam | By Ian Templeman
Having recorded their sixth league win in eight games with a 4-0 victory at Daisy Hill on Saturday, Irlam manager Steve Nixon is pleased with the start his side have made.
The Silver Street side have very much hit the ground running, and as well as league form, they came close to progressing through to the next round of the FA Vase, going out after a replay to Premier Division Squires Gate after taking them to extra time in the first tie.
It’s been an impressive run, and as Steve explained, the good form dates right back to when the squad regrouped in the summer.
“It’s not just the eight league games that we have looked good, we had six pre-season games as well, and we’ve not had a bad game”, he said.
“Even though we got beaten in pre-season against teams from a higher level like Salford and Trafford, we played well, and probably should have won at Squires Gate in the FA Vase too.
“I’ve told the players it is not a fluke, as the consistency of performance has been there now for about 15 games”.
Steve also believes that his decision to freshen up the squad in the summer has played a significant part in the team’s good start.
“The average age of the team has gone up, and I think it makes a big difference”, he said.
“Last year there were plenty of times I put a team out and the oldest player on the pitch was the keeper, who was 21.
“I kept saying we had a great under 21s team, and we had, but now they are a year older and we have added a few at 23, 24, 28 and one at 30. I think you can afford to have maybe five or six youngsters but we missed older heads last season.
“Also, the mindset has changed. We got together pre-season and discussed as a group where we needed to be.
“All the facilities at the club are in place, they are Premier Division standard or maybe above, but the team on the pitch has let us down in terms of progressing. We set our stall out and gave ourselves a target.
“So those two things have made a big difference”.
For now, Steve is focussed on keeping the momentum going, but is keen to emphasise that there is plenty of work to do to keep up their challenge at the top of the table.
“Three seasons ago, when I took over in my first season, we were third in the league after eight games, so it can happen that you let things slip.
“This season what gives me a bit more comfort is that we have a more mature group of players, and that will hopefully see us through.
“We have never come higher than eighth in the league, so my initial target is that we are looking to beat that this season.
“But we have said to the players that really we need to be in the top six, and at least get in the play offs, and so far I’m happy with how we are doing”.
Irlam Looking Good
Tue 22nd September 2015 | Irlam
By Ian Templeman
Having recorded their sixth league win in eight games with a 4-0 victory at Daisy Hill on Saturday, Irlam manager Steve Nixon is pleased with the start his side have made.
The Silver Street side have very much hit the ground running, and as well as league form, they came close to progressing through to the next round of the FA Vase, going out after a replay to Premier Division Squires Gate after taking them to extra time in the first tie.
It’s been an impressive run, and as Steve explained, the good form dates right back to when the squad regrouped in the summer.
“It’s not just the eight league games that we have looked good, we had six pre-season games as well, and we’ve not had a bad game”, he said.
“Even though we got beaten in pre-season against teams from a higher level like Salford and Trafford, we played well, and probably should have won at Squires Gate in the FA Vase too.
“I’ve told the players it is not a fluke, as the consistency of performance has been there now for about 15 games”.
Steve also believes that his decision to freshen up the squad in the summer has played a significant part in the team’s good start.
“The average age of the team has gone up, and I think it makes a big difference”, he said.
“Last year there were plenty of times I put a team out and the oldest player on the pitch was the keeper, who was 21.
“I kept saying we had a great under 21s team, and we had, but now they are a year older and we have added a few at 23, 24, 28 and one at 30. I think you can afford to have maybe five or six youngsters but we missed older heads last season.
“Also, the mindset has changed. We got together pre-season and discussed as a group where we needed to be.
“All the facilities at the club are in place, they are Premier Division standard or maybe above, but the team on the pitch has let us down in terms of progressing. We set our stall out and gave ourselves a target.
“So those two things have made a big difference”.
For now, Steve is focussed on keeping the momentum going, but is keen to emphasise that there is plenty of work to do to keep up their challenge at the top of the table.
“Three seasons ago, when I took over in my first season, we were third in the league after eight games, so it can happen that you let things slip.
“This season what gives me a bit more comfort is that we have a more mature group of players, and that will hopefully see us through.
“We have never come higher than eighth in the league, so my initial target is that we are looking to beat that this season.
“But we have said to the players that really we need to be in the top six, and at least get in the play offs, and so far I’m happy with how we are doing”.
