As we play in front of our home crowd for the first time this season tomorrow, we spoke to Mark Molesley ahead of our upcoming fixture…
Our gaffer was asked about the team’s response to Saturday’s game, the importance of building a club “identity,” and more.
Here’s what he had to say on the following subjects…
On staff and players’ reaction to Saturday’s loss:
A lot of frustration and disappointment. Looking back, we felt we should have gotten at least a point out of the game. We had more possession and shots but we probably didn’t do enough to threaten their goal. Maybe some clearer openings.
Though, whilst there are things to work on, I still feel we’re on the right track. Certainly no doom and gloom. We’re only seven weeks old as a group, and the way we want to play takes time. If we keep being courageous then, long term, we’ll reap the rewards.
On the positives we can take from Saturday:
We had the ball more than Tonbridge; we had more shots on target, albeit without clearer openings. I can see how we’re winning the ball, and then progressing it up the pitch, so I’m seeing things that we’re working on.
The more we practice these things, and get more comfortable with each other, then we’ll execute those specific actions better and more ruthlessly. I still don’t think we’re far off where we want to be, but it will take a lot of hard work. I have a lot of confidence in my squad.
On the key things needed to build a dominant side:
It involves a bit of everything: experience from the staff and senior players, bravery with how we play, having the right players.
I’m experienced, and have been in tough situations, so I know how important it is to have a team play the way you want it to. I haven’t been able to do that at all the clubs I’ve managed, so I want to make sure this team represents the club, the community, and myself.
On the importance of club ‘identity’:
We’re trying to build a philosophy and a legacy. We know that we need to build a successful side as soon as possible, but without neglecting that we must stand for something.
I’d rather risk waiting a little longer to build a long-term club identity, instead of just looking for a quick fix. We want a philosophy that starts with our youngest setup, all the way through to the first team.
With some clubs having the benefit of rich owners, we want something self-sufficient that is a little more pure that lasts and keeps the club in a good place.
On finding alternatives to create “success.”
We didn’t have money last time I was here, and yet we were still successful. It’s not always about money at this level.
It’s about finding a way of playing, and recruiting the right players and characters, instead of just throwing money at the biggest names. We want to produce big names ourselves.
On Brooklyn Genesini:
It will be very exciting for the fans to have a defender who can attack as well as him. We’ve already seen flashes of what he’s about. He’s very skillful, technical, and good at bombing forward.
It’s very similar on the left, with Ben Greenwood and Leo Hamblin. I think that says a little about the way we want to do things.
On the players’ attitude in training this week:
It’s been great. We can’t get sidetracked by one loss. As I said last week, we won’t be defined by the first game of the season. We’re certainly not feeling sorry for ourselves. We have to use the pain of not winning on Saturday to make us better.
On playing in front on the Terras fans for the first time this season:
We’ve got to make sure that we show the fans the endeavour that they want to see. If they can see that, they’ll buy into what we’re trying to do. We’re desperate to make this place a fortress and a ground that is difficult to come to.
On Hemel Hempstead’s strength:
They’ve assembled a very strong squad. They have a lot of strength in depth, so they’ll certainly be looking to finish at the higher end of the table.
It will be a really tough challenge, but we have to make sure that teams come to our ground knowing they’re in for one hell of a game.
