The only way is up for Daisy Hill
Tue 17th October 2017 | Daisy Hill | By Ian Templeman
New Daisy Hill manager Phil Roberts insists there is no need for panic after Saturday's defeat at home to Cammell Laird 1907 saw his side drop to the bottom of the First Division table.
After three games in charge, Phil believes that cutting out individual defensive errors, allied to the unity and ability that his squad possess, is all that is needed to get some more points on the board.
"I think there are positives to take from all three games", said Phil. "At one point on Saturday we were 3-1 down and in those situations teams at the bottom of the league sometimes roll over and die and it's over with.
"I look for reactions, and when we have gone a goal down, which we have done in two of the games, the players reacted and got back into the game.
"As a team, shape wise they have defended well enough, but it was individual errors that cost us and I accept that they are going to happen at times.
"The lads who made the errors put their hand up in the changing room afterwards, so I am not going to rip people apart for that".
It's been a tough baptism for Phil, who has never managed at this level before, having had previous managerial experience in the West Lancashire League with Eagley and CMB, who he left at the end of last season.
But he admits that when the Daisy Hill job became available a few weeks ago, after previous manager Craig Thomas stepped down, he was immediately attracted.
"One of the reasons I packed in at CMB at the end of last season, apart from taking a break, was because I wanted to have a crack at the North West Counties and if I had started the season at CMB again I probably wouldn't wanted to leave them in the lurch.
"My son plays rugby for Westhoughton Lions and they use the club house at Daisy Hill on Sundays. I had noticed over the last couple of years that the pitch has improved massively. I've been sat here on some sunny Sundays and thought to myself that I liked the look of the place.
"Although I was enjoying the break, when the job came up I thought that if I didn't go for it then I'll never know and I'm glad I did, I really like the club".
Phil is also keen to pay tribute to previous manager Craig Thomas, and the assistance he has given to Phil and his coaching team since he took over.
"We asked Craig to pick the team for our first game at Stockport Town, because we didn't know any of the players", explained Phil.
"We told him what we wanted from the team and what formation we wanted to play, and he put the people in the positions for us and did a great job.
"Tommo is helping us out with looking at future opponents and little tips, he has been dead supportive right from the start.
"We had a chat about how Litherland REMYCA would play on Monday night, and what he said about them was spot on, and I appreciate that hugely".
Since Phil took charge, Daisy lost to a stoppage time goal at Stockport Town, held Litherland REMYCA to a goalless draw before winning a penalty shoot out in the LWC Drinks First Division Cup, and lost by the odd goal in seven against Cammell Laird 1907 on Saturday.
Having overseen the games, Phil is in no doubt where the focus needs to be in the coming weeks.
"I am an attacking manager, but we need to concentrate on defending better and cut out the individual errors", he said.
"If we can get that base right then we can build from there. No one made an individual mistake against REMYCA, we defended the same against them as we did against Cammell Laird, it's the individual errors that cost us.
"All the goals came from stupid mistakes. We never seem to have good goals scored against us and all our goals we have to work really hard for, so we need to look at that.
"But I'm happy with the squad and the attitude, they are good lads.
"We said from the off that we are going to give everyone a chance, and we will do that, but we have got to start getting points on the board too".
The only way is up for Daisy Hill
Tue 17th October 2017 | Daisy Hill
By Ian Templeman
New Daisy Hill manager Phil Roberts insists there is no need for panic after Saturday's defeat at home to Cammell Laird 1907 saw his side drop to the bottom of the First Division table.
After three games in charge, Phil believes that cutting out individual defensive errors, allied to the unity and ability that his squad possess, is all that is needed to get some more points on the board.
"I think there are positives to take from all three games", said Phil. "At one point on Saturday we were 3-1 down and in those situations teams at the bottom of the league sometimes roll over and die and it's over with.
"I look for reactions, and when we have gone a goal down, which we have done in two of the games, the players reacted and got back into the game.
"As a team, shape wise they have defended well enough, but it was individual errors that cost us and I accept that they are going to happen at times.
"The lads who made the errors put their hand up in the changing room afterwards, so I am not going to rip people apart for that".
It's been a tough baptism for Phil, who has never managed at this level before, having had previous managerial experience in the West Lancashire League with Eagley and CMB, who he left at the end of last season.
But he admits that when the Daisy Hill job became available a few weeks ago, after previous manager Craig Thomas stepped down, he was immediately attracted.
"One of the reasons I packed in at CMB at the end of last season, apart from taking a break, was because I wanted to have a crack at the North West Counties and if I had started the season at CMB again I probably wouldn't wanted to leave them in the lurch.
"My son plays rugby for Westhoughton Lions and they use the club house at Daisy Hill on Sundays. I had noticed over the last couple of years that the pitch has improved massively. I've been sat here on some sunny Sundays and thought to myself that I liked the look of the place.
"Although I was enjoying the break, when the job came up I thought that if I didn't go for it then I'll never know and I'm glad I did, I really like the club".
Phil is also keen to pay tribute to previous manager Craig Thomas, and the assistance he has given to Phil and his coaching team since he took over.
"We asked Craig to pick the team for our first game at Stockport Town, because we didn't know any of the players", explained Phil.
"We told him what we wanted from the team and what formation we wanted to play, and he put the people in the positions for us and did a great job.
"Tommo is helping us out with looking at future opponents and little tips, he has been dead supportive right from the start.
"We had a chat about how Litherland REMYCA would play on Monday night, and what he said about them was spot on, and I appreciate that hugely".
Since Phil took charge, Daisy lost to a stoppage time goal at Stockport Town, held Litherland REMYCA to a goalless draw before winning a penalty shoot out in the LWC Drinks First Division Cup, and lost by the odd goal in seven against Cammell Laird 1907 on Saturday.
Having overseen the games, Phil is in no doubt where the focus needs to be in the coming weeks.
"I am an attacking manager, but we need to concentrate on defending better and cut out the individual errors", he said.
"If we can get that base right then we can build from there. No one made an individual mistake against REMYCA, we defended the same against them as we did against Cammell Laird, it's the individual errors that cost us.
"All the goals came from stupid mistakes. We never seem to have good goals scored against us and all our goals we have to work really hard for, so we need to look at that.
"But I'm happy with the squad and the attitude, they are good lads.
"We said from the off that we are going to give everyone a chance, and we will do that, but we have got to start getting points on the board too".
