Tomkinson speaks ahead of All or Nothing clash

Manchester Central host Avro Reserves on Saturday afternoon, where a rollercoaster ride of a season concludes in a match that decides which club will take the final promotion spot.

We caught up with Central manager Chris Tomkinson ahead of without question the biggest game of their season, where they can claim what was an unlikely promotion to Division One at the start of the campaign.

He spoke about how his team feel ahead of the game, and how they have managed to get themselves in this position, considering their poor start to the season.

“The lads are confident and excited, it’s a huge game as we all know, but the lads have put themselves into this position after a brilliant run since January, they have to be confident but also be mindful that the game will be very tough.”

He further spoke on what he will want to tell his players ahead of the match, and what message he will want them to take with them when the first whistle is blown on Saturday.

“It will be the same as any week really, go out and do what we know we’re good at, play quickly, play as a team and show the character we did against Daisy Hill last weekend. If we do that, we stand a very good chance of winning the game.”

He further added “we will aim to play our normal game without a shadow of a doubt, but also be mindful we will have to be solid and be hard to break down. We know Avro have some good players and will make it difficult for any team.”

“I won’t overcomplicate anything for the lads, I know what they’re good at and I will be reminding them of this.”

Tomkinson clearly is clear and focused on what he wants from his players and how he wants them to perform, he also spoke on who he expects to step up and make the difference. Unsurprisingly, he wants the whole team to step up, not necessarily one player.

“I want everyone to step up to be honest, including the subs, we know we have the ability in the team to win any game. We just need to make sure all 16 lads are doing their jobs and hopefully we can get the three points needed.”

He added what a result would mean for the club in the long run, stating “promotion was obviously the aim at the start of the season like all 14 clubs in the league, and to have a chance to be promoted come the final game of the season is brilliant.”

“At the start of the year it wasn’t in our favour, but we’ve won eight out of eleven league games since January and the lads have done brilliantly to put themselves into contention.”

“If things don’t go our way it will be disappointing obviously but we will dust ourselves off and go again next year, we have managed to build a close-knit squad that we want to keep improving going forward. The vast majority of our lads bar a couple being under the age of 20 means the team can only build and only get stronger.”

Tomkinson mentioned what promotion would mean for him as manager, considering how poorly the team began the campaign and only managing the team since January.

“It would mean a hell of a lot without a doubt, it’s been a really tough five months, having to run the team on my own since January has been an experience. I’ve learnt a hell of a lot and it would mean a massive amount if we can win on Saturday. What’s more satisfying is the lads have stuck with me and the club and got themselves where they are now.”

“The squad is a 1000x different from the start of the season and as my first season as a manager and the first season the club has played since 2018, it would be a huge achievement without a doubt. But I’m under no illusions, Saturday will be tough.”

Ahead of the game, Tomkinson spoke on the opponent on Saturday, Avro, and what type of game he expects to see.

“Avro are a good side. All their teams all the way through the club are good from the first team to the junior teams. You know what you’ll face when you play them.”

“It’s a one-off game, probably not a football game in many respects, meaning both teams will do what they can to win the game. It will be down to the team who wants it more and I’m confident my lads will be right up for it come Saturday!”

It’s clear that Chris Tomkinson knows what he expects from his team in the final game, and it is up to his players to execute on Saturday. In a season defining game, Central will have to be at their best if they want to achieve promotion and will surely be expecting a tough match against a good side.

A win on Saturday will mean everything for both teams, as for Central, it could potentially mark the start of a new era under Tomkinson, who would look forward to embarking on his first full season as manager of the club in a competitive league. It is all or nothing come Saturday afternoon, and Tomkinson and his side will be right up for the test.