Attitude is just right for play-offs
STRATFORD Town manager Gavin Hurren is desperate to keep his side in the play-off places and believes the players have the right attitude to do just that.
The Bards climbed up to fifth following their goalless draw at AFC Sudbury at the weekend and will be looking to bolster their promotion push when they take on Alvechurch at the Arden Garages Stadium on Saturday.
Hurren said: “Against Sudbury we were without Paul McCone, Chris Hussey and Dylan Barkers which meant we had to move a few around – but those who came in had been waiting to take their opportunity by keeping fit and training hard.
“It just shows that our squad is now a lot stronger than last season and we have greater versatility with players able to slot into various positions. The players have also learnt from the experience of last season when they had to stick together sometimes in the face of adversity.
“We have been able to carry on our form from the end of last season into this one and the club is a good place to be at the moment.
“Kettering is the only team we have yet to play and I think that everyone is capable of beating everyone else on their day. We have a small squad but there is a big togetherness and a real competition for places.
“We are halfway through the season but hopefully, if the lads continue to apply themselves in the right way, I can’t see why we can’t be up there at the end of the season.
“A lot of these boys were with us last year and we have a great environment at the club, an environment that I’d want to play in – and I wasn’t the easiest player to please. Stratford Town is a place where people want to come and hopefully I can do the place justice and keep us in the play-offs.
“There are clubs with bigger budgets, but my goal was always to try and get us up there and I want to do it for everyone involved at the club because they deserve it.”
The Sudbury game was defender Dan Vann’s 100th for the Bards and his manager was delighted for the player.
Hurren added: “I’m over the moon for him because he had a rough year with injury and he’s got himself fit and worked on his rehabilitation. He’s a fantastic defender – when one-on-one he’s one of the best – and he’s a great lad to be around and to work with.”
The Bards are in talks with two potential new signings, one of which – a midfielder – could be added to the squad ahead of the weekend.
And Hurren added that he should have a full quota to choose from for the Alvechurch match with McCone, Hussey and Barkers all available again.
