Chris’ Comments Ahead of East Manchester Clash

With week four’s fixture against East Manchester looming on the horizon of the weekend ahead, we caught up with Central manager Chris Tomkinson.

Chris, it’s been a tough first few fixtures to open the 2023/24 season. But, are you starting to get to grips with the new side and see a settled starting XI?

“We had a very good pre-season with a great squad of players available for selection. Unfortunately, the first few games haven’t quite gone to plan. We still aren’t fully settled as a group, lacking that first XI line-up as we have had a few individuals missing over the previous weeks and have suffered some injuries.”

“There have been some good moments, as well as some that aren’t so great, so hopefully in a month or two we’ll see a much more settled side who are playing in the way we want. However, I did say before a ball was even kicked that we weren’t necessarily looking at the results in the first few games, but that it was important to see the signs of the squad’s potential. I believe that we have, but the next step needs to be taken soon.”

Despite some positive performances, with the side scoring seven goals in the first three games, Central sit on just one point. What needs to be done in the coming fixtures to start getting some numbers on the table?

“We have lacked a little bit of cohesion in the last few days. As I said before, it is important that we start to develop a settled squad, integrating those who have missed the last couple of weeks. We’ve come on leaps and bounds since the first training session of pre-season, so I think that in another month or two you’ll really start to notice the development in chemistry and understanding in the group.”

“That said, I also think that the lads need to start believing that they can win games. We’ve gone ahead a couple of times already this season, we just need to make sure they can keep that belief and intense focus. Hopefully that can start on Saturday.”

On that note, Central face East Manchester this weekend - a side against whom Central won 6-0 and lost 3-2 last season. With this weekend’s hosts also on just one point, having recently lost to the Tintwistle side which Central drew with, are you confident that your side can get a result?

“Listen, it’s early days and I think that they are too a new side that will be trying to settle themselves. I’m always confident in my side’s ability, but I’m under no illusion that it’ll be a tough fixture - they all are in this division.”

“I’m hoping that we can get that first win as it’ll really help to settle the lads, but they will all need to be bang on it to secure all three points.”