Ahead of tonight’s game away to Hampton & Richmond Borough, Warren Feeney told us how he stays level-headed after games, why he doesn’t “get” philosophy in football, and much more…
Here is what was discussed today:
On our Enfield Town performance:
Looking at the match against Maidstone United where we were pleased with the performance but disappointed with the result, on Saturday the result was better but I felt we didn’t play well. We weren’t anywhere near our best and it was probably our worst performance since I’ve come here; the players know that.
But, at the end of the day, you have to take the positives from every game and move onto the next one, which is tonight against a good Hampton & Richmond side. We have the chance to put things right.
On how he reacts as a manager to seeing a red card:
It was disappointing for us to get a red card straight after Enfield did. The key thing at that stage of a game is to keep a calm head. That 10-minute period near the end of the match was probably crazy for both teams. Now, we have to make sure we learn from it.
On how he stays level-headed during a busy fixture period:
I neither get too excited after a win or too low after a loss. I’m certainly not one to try on one’s shoulder either – the game I’m in I’m able to take setbacks.
I always look forward to the next game, and my job is to pick the players up and make sure they go and enjoy themselves. Tonight will be a good game, a tough game, but it’s one that we can go and win.
On how he ensures the players enjoy themselves:
Listen, kicking a ball around is the best job in the world. That’s what we do and I remind the players of that. I want them to go and express themselves – they should have no worries and enjoy every game.
On Rio Davidson-Phipps and Harrison Day:
You can see with Rio that he needs a few games to get his sharpness up, but this week has been a big one for him. He’s just had a baby, so everyone at the club sends their congratulations to him and his partner.
Harrison is a goalscorer and I thought he did very well when he came on at the weekend. Importantly for us, him joining gives us extra options up top.
On if there are specific qualities needed in teams fighting for survival:
People talk about philosophy, which I don’t get. I don’t get what is meant by a “philosophy.” In my eyes the philosophy should just be to win games. That’s how I was brought up.
There’s no right or wrong way to win. You just have to work with what you have and do your best. You’re only as good as what you have.
On tonight’s game:
It’s a huge one for us. We seem to do better away from home, maybe there’s less pressure in these matches, so it’s one that we’re looking forward to.
On whether London fixtures boost the teams psychologically:
I don’t think so. Any fixture should be one that a player looks to win, and that’s the attitude I want the players to have. Whatever the match is, the team should be going all out for a victory, which is what they should do tonight. We’ve got to go out there with the right attitude.
On how busy match congestions can help the players:
As a manager you always want your players to react quickly. We were pleased not to lose on Saturday, but we were disappointed with the performance, alongside not getting more points, but having a game tonight gives us the opportunity to put things right almost immediately.
