Manager's Pre-Season Q+A
 

Baguley Athletic | Pre-Season Q&A

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As we gear up for the new campaign, we caught up with the gaffers to talk all things pre-season, recruitment, and the season ahead. Here's what they had to say 👇

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How is pre-season shaping up so far?

Pre-season officially kicks off soon, but the groundwork is already well underway. We've had some really productive discussions with our Head Coach, Sam, and we've mapped out a clear plan for the weeks ahead. The full schedule has been released to the lads, we’ll be training Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. We’ve lined up five pre-season friendlies, which will be a key part of building match fitness and putting some of our tactical ideas into practice. We’ve also reached out to a few new faces who we think can really add something to the group, so we’re looking forward to seeing how they integrate and what they can bring to the squad.

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What will be the main focus in the early sessions?

The early sessions will be all about laying the foundations, with plenty of running and fitness work to get the lads back into that competitive mindset and shake off any rust from the off-season. It has been around seven weeks since we were last together, so we need to set the tempo straight away. We have three trial dates and a trial game lined up, which will be a great opportunity for us to assess a number of new players. We are always looking to strengthen, and this gives us a chance to identify anyone who we believe can raise the level of the current squad.

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Do you have any team bonding or off-pitch plans in place?

We have quite a few team bonding plans in place, some of which are built directly into our training schedule. For example, we have gym-based sessions where, while we’re working the lads hard, the environment naturally helps build connections and team spirit. We’re also heading out for a session at Three Shires Head, which will involve a lot of teamwork and give the group a chance to bond in a different setting. Towards the end of pre-season, we have a sports day-style session planned, which should be a great way for the lads to enjoy themselves while continuing to strengthen that togetherness off the pitch. I’m sure there will be a beer or 5 in there somewhere as well.

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Are there any new faces at the club this summer?

We’re planning to have a few new faces involved alongside some of the existing lads. We’ve approached players who we believe can genuinely improve the squad and bring something different to the group. That said, as is often the case at this level, it can come down to whether they actually turn up on the day. We’ll see how things shape up over the next few weeks, but we’re hopeful of adding some strong characters and quality to the group.

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Are you still looking to strengthen the squad?

We are looking to strengthen all over the pitch to be honest. We are not inclined to single out one position because we have made it clear that our goal is to keep improving this club and take it to new levels. That starts with having healthy competition in every area. We are big believers that you get the best out of your players when they feel that competitive pressure, and that’s exactly the environment we want to create this season.

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Are there any key departures to mention?

We have a couple of planned departures, but we have been working hard on securing their replacements. I’d prefer not to mention any names at this stage, as some of the players have off-field plans that haven’t been publicly announced yet. We have also arranged a trial for one of our lads from last season at a Northern Premier side after being impressed by his performances, which is a great opportunity for him.

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What lessons are you taking into this season from last year?

Being our first season in management, last year was a real learning curve. We backed ourselves from day one and made some strong progress, but naturally there were areas where we’ve reflected and looked to evolve. A big takeaway was the need to manage off-field distractions more efficiently, as we inherited a lot of background noise that pulled focus from the football side of things. We’ve worked to improve that, and we’re now in a much stronger position to concentrate fully on the football and push the team forward. We’ve also learned the value of building a stronger shortlist of lads playing in the amateur game. That side of recruitment improves with experience and connections, and we feel much better prepared heading into this season with that in mind.

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What are the team’s targets for the season?

Promotion back to the Manchester Premier Division is something we’d like to work towards, but we know it’s not going to happen overnight. It’s a tough league, and we’re under no illusions about the challenge ahead. Right now, the focus is on rebuilding the squad, getting the right people in, and creating a strong, competitive environment. If we can do that, we’ll give ourselves the best chance of being in the mix come the end of the season. We were disappointed to go down last year, like many teams in a league that tight, we felt we were a bit unlucky, but that’s in the past now. The aim is to show what we’re capable of and prove we belong back at that level, one game at a time.

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Do you have any final thoughts for the fans?

We’re a community club and we’re trying to make a real impact in the area through football. We’ve got some exciting news coming soon that we hope reflects that, and we’d love for people to continue recognising what we’re trying to build and keep supporting us. We know we’re an amateur club, not a professional one, but we always aim to do things to the highest standard possible. Hopefully our number one fans on Twitter stick with us and continue backing the lads again this season.

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#UpTheBadgers

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