Plenty of positives for Williams after Gloucester City start pre-season with win at Tuffley
Newly-appointed Gloucester City Manager Daf Williams says there were a number of positives to take from his side’s opening pre-season game ahead of a busy July for the Tigers.
City started their pre-season campaign off with a 2-0 win over Tuffley Rovers on Saturday afternoon and after the game Williams told Severn Sport he was pleased the afternoon’s work, from getting minutes into players legs – including a number of trialists and how his side put tactics and game style into practice during the game.
“[There are] Plenty of positives, the biggest positive being work into the legs and the lads coming away from the game injury free,” Williams said.
“We can come away with some positives tactically and things to continue working on.
I liked what we looked like in the first half hour, there was a good energy and purpose about us and what we’ve been working on, despite difficult conditions, with the pitch being so sticky.
As the game progressed the game became quite disjointed and scrappy, which I didn’t like. But from a physical perspective, which is the priority at this stage, it was a pleasing day,
We’ll continue to look at some of the trialists next week. They’ve been with us for a couple of sessions and the game Saturday, so we’ll see how they get on this week and go from there,” added Williams.
Williams was installed as the new Gloucester City Manager during the summer, returning to the club where he served as Assistant to former boss Lee Mansell, a decision which saw Gloucester City fans rejoice over after a disappointing end to last season.
And after the game at Tuffley, played in front of over 400 spectators, Williams thanked the fans for the support shown to the side and himself individually, and hopes to repay them with success this campaign.
“The reaction has been incredible, and I’m so grateful to everyone that has reached out and welcomed me back with open arms,” said Williams.
“It’s a real honour to be named the Manager of Gloucester City, and it’s something I’m extremely proud of.
I have a fantastic relationship with many people associated with the football club, and I would love nothing more than to give them what they deserve, and that’s a successful season,” added Williams.
Saturday’s friendly saw City set up with first half and second half XIs and it allowed Williams to take a look at a number of trialists, U18s Captain, Sam Sullivan and a number of his new signings – including Keiran Thomas, Ben Morgan, Michael O’Regan and Dylan Jones.
With a number of signings already in place ahead of the new season, Gloucester City fans are still awaiting news on a new striker to provide another option to Kieran Phillips and anymore new additions and Williams admits that conversations are taking place with a number of potential new recruits, with the squad starting to take shape.
“I’m delighted with the business we’ve already done,” said Williams.
“The new signings have settled in extremely well and we’ve put a good group of people, characters, and players together.
Along with the players that have been retained from last season, I’m pleased with how the squad is looking.
I’d like to add a few more over the coming weeks in different positions, and we’ve had some really positive conversations with players, and also clubs regarding potential loan opportunities which I believe is so important for a club like ourselves,” Williams added.
Gloucester’s pre-season schedule continues on Tuesday night, with Semi Final one of the Severn Sport Shield, when they welcome Fairford Town to the TigerTurf Stadium.
Depending on the results of the Semi Finals, the Tigers will either be in the Third Place play-off or Final next weekend, before home games with Barry Town United, Oxford City and Worcester City to come.
City then conclude their pre-season with a trip to Banbury United on Saturday 2 Augusr, before a crucial Southern League campaign begins.
Ahead of the Severn Sport Shield, Williams says having two tournament games next up will allow him a chance to to continue to get good minutes into the whole group in the changing room.
“We’re really looking forward to the Severn Sport Shield,” said Williams. “We’ll continue to manage minutes at this stage of pre season, therefore the physical element will remain the priority for us, with players getting 45 minutes again on Tuesday, and possibly increasing some of their minutes on Saturday.
However, we’ve got a changing room full of players that are really buying in to what we’re trying to do, so I’d like to think over the next couple of games anyone watching will begin to see what we will look like moving forward and what our intentions are going into the season,” Williams added.
Cover photo taken and copyright Jamie Brain Photography. Visit his Instagram @jamiebrain_photography
