Selection Headache for Tong

Pitchero Non League Newsletter

Breaking News:

Bucks Go For Chester Pair - AFC Telford United, relegated from the Blue Square Bet Premier, are eyeing up another raid on newly-promoted..... ... Experienced Julian Joins Darts - Blue Square Bet Premier club Dartford have announced the signing of experienced goalkeeper Alan Julian from newly-promoted Newport County. ... Pro Clubs Keen on Boro Keeper - Portsmouth are keen to invite Conference South newcomers Gosport Borough`s goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore for a trial at Fratton Park.... Bridgnorth Placed in Administration - Following Baker Joiner Midland Alliance Bridgnorth Town’s AGM last night, the members present voted that the club be....... Investors Interested in Reds - Workington have two potential investors in the Blue Square Bet North club who are expected to make a decision on....... Sinclair`s Squad Almost Complete - Frank Sinclair, player-manager of Blue Square Bet North club Colwyn Bay, has now pencilled in fourteen of his....... Bevan Leaves Shortwood Role - Evo-Stik League Southern Division One Central club Shortwood United will appoint a new assistant to long-serving boss........ Adelsbury Leaves Boro - Ben Adelsbury has left Blue Square Bet South club Eastbourne Borough as Tommy Widdrington starts to shape his 2013/2014 squad. ... Evesham Appoint Cunnington - Evo-Stik League Southern Division One South & West club Evesham United have announced the appointment of....... Eagles Management Team Stay On - Baris Northern Counties East League club Arnold Town have confirmed that manager Graham Walker and his assistant..... ... Doughty Becomes 14th to Re-Sign - Blue Square Bet North club Altrincham have announced that Matt Doughty has become the fourteenth current player at..... ... Former Rival Snapped Up By Stones - Fabio Saraiva has signed a one-year contract with Ryman League Premier Division newcomers Maidstone United.... Moore Praises Supporters - Assistant-manager Micky Moore feels fans of Blue Square Bet Premier club Nuneaton Town will have a significant........ Meechan Becomes Player-Coach at Barrow - Alex Meechan has been confirmed as player-coach at Barrow AFC, who were relegated from the....... Management Team Stay at Guiseley - Guiseley AFC have announced that Steve Kittrick and his management team of Chris Holland and Martin Stringfellow........ Dozen Tudors Re-Sign - New Keeper Joins - No less than a dozen players have committed their future to Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division club........ New Managerial Team at Stockbridge - Former Alresford Town manager Terry Chapman and ex-Otterbourne number one James Barnes have taken charge at.... ... Two More Pen Wrexham Deals - Defender Stephen Wright and goalkeeper Andy Coughlin are the latest players to commit their futures to Blue Square....... Hughes Makes Coasters Switch - AFC Fylde manager Dave Challinor hailed former Crewe Alexandra Academy midfielder Caspar Hughes for his swift....... Bearman Makes First New Signing - Lee Bearman has made his first signing as manager of Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division club Bedford Town....

Latest Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League News

Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League

Kirkley & Pakefield boss Paul Tong admits he has got a few selection headaches ahead of the Royals’ Thurlow....

0 Comments

Published 3rd August 2012

Paul Tong

....Nunn League Premeir Division opener at Ely City this weekend.

Kirkley go into the new season having shown some excellent form throughout pre-season, demonstrated by the 5-1 hammering of Wroxham at Walmer Road last weekend.

Tong’s side also beat Lowestoft Town in a friendly last month and the former Great Yarmouth Town boss said the form of his squad has given him a few selection dilemmas to contend with before tomorrow.

“Before Saturday I had a very good idea of what my starting XI would be but it could change now thanks to a number of performances,” he said. “People have pushed themselves to the fore and I’ve got a bit of thinking to do before Saturday’s game.

“But to do anything you have to have a squad and hopefully the lads will have a bit of patience if they’re not involved from the start.”

Tong hopes his side can continue their form in front of goal at The Unwin Sports Ground although he knows their pre-season form will count for nothing if they get off to a poor start.

“We are scoring goals at the moment and long may that continue,” he added. “We have to make sure we keep the door closed at the back and if you can do those two things then you’re going to do alright.

“You get nothing for winning friendlies and we must not get carried away. The real work starts now but I can’t fault the players over the summer.

“It couldn’t have gone much better apart from Lee Hunter’s injury which was really unfortunate.

“We have had some really good fixtures and hopefully all the work we’ve put in during those friendlies will pay off during the season.”

Tong believes the club’s biggest challenge this season will be to maintain a level of consistency to ensure they are amongst the pacesetters of the division.

“With younger players it’s a big ask to find that consistency and that’s what we’ve got to strive for,” he said. “There’s a feelgood factor around the club – the reserves won the cup last year, the youth teams are going from strength to strength and hopefully we can top it all off. We’ve got to carry that confidence into the league and see where it can take us.”

Tong believes tomorrow’s opponents will be among the leading sides in the division alongside the likes of Wisbech Town and Dereham Town.

“I think Ely will be one of the sides up there; Wisbech will be there as well.

“It’s going to be a tough place to go – all we can do is prepare properly and see where it takes us.”

[Source: Eastern Daily Press]