New Hednesford Town manager Andy Morrell kindly took a break from home schooling to give a wide-ranging interview covering his playing career, his time so far in management and in today’s first instalment, his plans for the Pitmen.
Joining Hednesford Town.
“I was keen to join Hednesford Town because it is a great club. I was also looking for a long-term project, as I want to be somewhere that I can stay and help to develop a club from bottom to top. Hednesford Town are looking to the future, building the club with a long-term plan on a sustainable footing. We are looking to steady the ship, make steady changes to produce regular small steps of progress. A good youth set-up is already in place and we want to develop our player pathways and have a settled first team squad.”
Backroom staff.
“Danny Glover is keen to stay, I think he did a good job and got some good results under difficult circumstances. He is keen to pursue his coaching career and he will continue as a coach and interim assistant for the time being. Danny is a great player, I tried to sign him when I managed Tamworth, and I have told him I want 40 games and 20 goals from him! It might be that we will bring someone in to be on the bench with me on match days as another pair of eyes. Jose Veiga will be another familiar face in the coaching set-up.”
Current squad.
“I believe the current set of players have the makings of a decent squad with one or two additions. Ben Bailey has been exceptional for the club and with the level of experience that he brings I am happy that he too is keen to stay on. I will be making contact with the rest of the lads over the next couple of weeks and having discussions with them, as always a lot of decisions will be made prior to and during pre-season, but we should have the core of the squad together by then.”
Playing style.
“I am open to the formation we will play next season, we will bring in as many good players as we can and that, and the opposition will dictate how we set up. We will always try to play high tempo attacking football and score goals, which is what supporters like to watch. Ideally, we will have a 20-goal striker and another four players getting into double figures. We will be fit, hardworking and have a core of experience surrounded by young hungry, mobile players who will improve and perhaps be sold on when the time is right. Good relationships and understanding are needed at the back so that we have a settled and tight defence”.
Next season.
“We will have to use the loan market next season, but they will be longer term loans rather than stop-gaps which can unsettle the squad. I want to create a good culture, where players will fight for each other. I am not going to make unrealistic promises about next season and say that we will win the league by miles. I have a high level of ambition for Hednesford Town and we will be going out to win games and challenge at the top end of the table.”
