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Summer holidays over as Eastwood squad returns
EASTWOOD Town players returned to training full of vigour this week as preparations began in earnest for their Blue Square North debut.
While the start of the season may still be six weeks away, fitness levels need tuning immediately and with manager Paul Cox running the rule over a number of triallists too, the period between now and the big kick-off is vital.
Cox said: “It’s a really important time because we’ve a new challenge ahead of us and we have to be ready for it.
“The players have come back chomping at the bit but the next few weeks will help me decide which of those we’ve either re-signed or brought in are up for the challenge, and to what extent we need to change things, if at all.”
“We don’t believe in breaking them in too gently but to be fair in the two sessions we’ve had the lads have been working really hard.”
Cox feels more additions are required but is pleased with the acquisitions made so far, which include the likes of midfielders Emeka Nwadike and Martin Foster, defender Tom Marshall and striker David Brown.
“It’s a well known fact we are still looking for one or two more players, however having seen the lads in training I would be happy to start the season without any further additions,” he said.
“This puts the club in a great position because we can be selective, wait for the market to pick up and bring in the right calibre of player to take this club forward.
“We all know what to expect from Brownie and to a lesser extent Tom Marshall having played against him with Hednesford, however the two midfielders Martin Foster and Emeke Nwadike look great signings and will add a touch of class to our midfield.”
The magnitude of last season’s UniBond League title success was brought to the fore again when defender Russell Cooke was named as the league’s best player by weekly publication The Non-League Paper, with Cox earning a place in its list of top ten non-league managers.
Cox added: “I wasn’t sure what our press officer Andy Cope was on about when he texted me on Sunday.
“We had all been to the UniBond League presentation do until the early hours, and weren’t feeling at our best.
“To say I was totally gobsmacked when I was shown the article would be an understatement. My teams have often won Team of the Month awards but this is special because a national newspaper has recognised our achievements over the last 12 months.
“But I think it’s really a recognition of the work put in by the whole club, not just me. Being manager means when things go badly it’s me who gets the bullet, but when it goes well it’s because of a team effort that’s come together well.”
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Weather for Eastwood
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -4 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -0 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
