Chris Tomkinson Looks Ahead to Return to Division One Action

Manchester Central seek for a first win in 68 days in Division One when they welcome East Manchester this weekend. We caught up with gaffer Chris Tomkinson to hear his thoughts off the back of a huge Semi Final win, and ahead of an important Division One fixture.

On the Semi Final triumph, Tomkinson said ‘It will certainly give the lads confidence, not only the result and getting to a final, but the manner of the performance. Everyone played their part and there wasn’t one bad performance which was the most pleasing thing. The lads need to take that confidence into the next four games before Christmas and get our season back on track.’

‘The lads did everything we asked of them before the game. Recently results haven’t been great, but we weren’t ever getting carried away after the start we had made. We have a settled squad again now and a formation which suits us, so we have everything in place for us to be able to kick on now as long as the lads keep performing and pushing each other.’

Central have been struggling recently in all competitions, failing to keep a clean sheet since their last Division One win, but a much-improved defensive display in their last outing gave encouraging signs to Tomkinson ahead of their return to Division One football.

‘We were much better defensively. The formation we play that was successful last season means we can be more attack minded and get bodies forward. Of course, we’d love to keep more clean sheets but as long as the lads show the determination to keep the ball out of the net, I’m happy with that knowing we will always be able to create chances and score goals.’

‘Heading into the game at the weekend, the message will be the same as it was in the Semi Final. I think the lads know what they have to do against a tough team like East Manchester who will be physical and well organised and looking at their results they have been extremely unlucky in some games so I’m expecting a tough fixture as every game in this league is and has been so far.’

‘The players will have to continue playing how they did on Saturday and even in the previous 45 minutes they played against Bolton United. Quick, forward thinking and aggressive football will go a long way in helping us pick up the three points, and after the result on Saturday the lads seem to have the confidence to do that now.’

Ahead of the game on Saturday, Tomkinson wants his side to produce more performances of the same fashion as they did last time out and keep belief and spirits high in order to turn their league form around.

‘We need to keep believing, be positive and stick together. If the lads don’t challenge themselves then there is no point in playing. They need to continue expressing themselves and enjoy their football, there is a long way to go but picking up as many points as possible in these next four games before Christmas will be instrumental for how our season will pan out.’