“We are going to build on something every game” – Deakin and Palmer discuss stacked Slimbridge schedule
Slimbridge Management duo Tom Deakin and Michael Palmer say they have deliberately kept their pre-season messaging simple ahead of a tight schedule before their Southern League return.
The Swans returned to action in a 4-2 defeat at Cheltenham Saracens in their opening friendly – with the first half quite evident that it was an early session for the Hellenic League Champions, who were punished by a sharper looking side.
Following the game, Palmer said that he felt the game was a perfect opener against good, organised opposition.
“I think we needed that to be fair, I think it was a good opposition to play against as well simply because we know we’re going to come across that this season as well, you know, physical teams who are organised and have good experience and whilst it isn’t an excuse, it was quite clear we have only had two training sessions,” said Palmer.
“The first half was really poor by us but fair play to Cheltenham Saracens, they played some good football, worked their socks off and took their chances and then made it difficult for us in the second half to get going.
I’m really pleased with the run out though and it was good to dust us off and for me now it feels like pre-season has properly started,” added Palmer.
Slimbridge’s squad were missing Jack Smith and Jack W Smith and included a whole host of new faces, including goalkeeper Ronnie Newberry, Jack Holmes and Casey Collins – who all look set to be returning to the club.
And with games booked in for Tuesday and Thursday night before a behind closed doors friendly against Forest Green Rovers next weekend, Deakin says there will be plenty of opportunities to get a look at prospective new signings in the coming days.
“We know we had a few missing last night that we’ll bring back in over the next couple of weeks and we’ve set ourselves up with a set of games Tuesday, Thursday, Saturdays to now make sure that these new boys can blend themselves in and we can get our identity right and can get our start of play right.
Every summer we know that there’s this transition with Slimbridge because players come in and they go and what is good is that we’ve still got the core of the side here, which is great as we’re just building around the core and now we’re developing it and working these players to how we want to get to,” said Deakin.
Slimbridge host Droitwich Spa on Tuesday night, before a trip to Chipping Sodbury Town on Thursday ahead of the game against Forest Green next weekend and another friendly to come at home to Cheltenham Town and Deakin admits that the schedule is by design and the idea is to build as a group game-by-game.
“We’ve said that our method of pre-season this year is we are going to build on something every game, so we’ve given them minimal messaging in terms of what we wanted to do last night and now for next week we know what we need to work on.
We’ll add layers to it and that’s how we’re going to progress – we can’t just throw them a tactics board and shout at them and say this, that and the other. It’s a newish group in some areas, so we’ve got to develop them into our mould and what we want to do.
It’s all about taking the time over these next games to build on it week in, week out and see that we are in a position where we are ready to go ahead of the FA Cup tie on 8th August,” said Deakin.
Ahead of pre-season kicking off, Slimbridge could be set to lose Charlie Hitchings, Ryan Ponting, Sam Blackie and Shiyak Sutherland for a number of various reasons and with a number of players in the squad also trialling at other local sides, both Deakin and Palmer reiterated the importance of not only giving the squad who won the Hellenic Premier title a go at the Southern League, but to also make sure they don’t sit still and add to their ranks where required.
“I think where we are at the moment, we’re in a position where we’ve got players in positions that we’re happy with, we’ve solidified certain areas and it’s just now making sure that the players sign on the dotted line because at the moment, you never know – it’s now silly season, over these next couple of weeks players will come and go left right and centre and you will see names on team sheets for everybody – that’s what pre-season is about,” said Deakin.
“I know everybody’s announced signings on social media and all this sort of stuff, but until they’ve signed on the piece of paper, only then is it job done and we can really crack on and see what we can do,” added Deakin.
“What’s really important to know as well, is that even though there are areas we are looking to improve, these group of lads have earned the right to be there as well.
I think that’s really important that we give that message to our lads as well, these boys won the title in fairly comfortable fashion and I think they’ve eared the right to go out there and express themselves at a really good level this season,” Palmer added.
Slimbridge welcome Droitwich Spa to Thornhill Park in their next pre-season friendly on Tuesday night, before a trip to Chipping Sodbury Town on Thursday.
