It's a sad state off affairs if we're not pushing towards the play-off's, says O'Brien

Wednesday 23rd December 2009

ROOKIE manager Alex O’Brien has thanked his more experienced colleagues for their advice during the course of his first season in charge of Chatham Town, writes Stephen McCartney.

Tonbridge based O’Brien took over the reigns during the summer and has already guided the Maidstone Road club to eighth place in the Ryman League Division One South table.

O’Brien has been quick to pick up the telephone to ask for advice from his more experienced friends and thanked Neil Cugley (the vastly experienced manager of Folkestone Invicta) and Tommy Warrilow

(Tonbridge Angels) for their wise words.

Chatham Town welcome league leaders Folkestone Invicta - after travelling to local rivals Sittingbourne on Boxing Day.

O’Brien, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk today, spoke about Cugley’s professionalism in helping rookie managers.

He said: “Cugs is a very experienced manager and a fantastic manager and has given us help, myself and Lew (Watts) over the season.

“When we first got the job we actually had a chat with him at Tommy Warrilow’s wedding. There were all these Kent managers giving us advice and Cugs was very warming and said you have to go with the highs and the lows and roll with the punches and he was very honest.

“Tommy is another one who gives us a lot of help and advice and without these people it will be very, very difficult. It’s nice we can call on big names like that from time to time for a little bit of advice.”

However, friendship will go out of the window when the two sides meet next at Maidstone Road on Tuesday.

O’Brien said: “All the very best to him but when it comes to it, the bottom line is I want to roll his team over!”

But before the visit of the league leaders, O’Brien takes his side to Bourne Park to lock horns with arch-rivals Sittingbourne on Saturday.

“Boxing Day isn’t called Boxing Day for a reason,” said O’Brien. “I’m sure it will be a very, very feisty affair, and I’m sure it will have everything like Kent derbies tend to do.

“They’re a very good side, well organised, the management team (of Gary Abbott and Richard Brady) are vastly experienced as players and as coaches and it’s a pleasure to go there on Boxing Day and put ourselves to the test.

“We’ve got big games coming up against them and Folkestone. It’s all about getting as many points as we can over the Christmas period.”

O’Brien agreed with Sittingbourne manager Gary Abbott, who said the team that wins will be the one that “want it the most.”

“I think it will come down to a lot of that, your luck in front of goal,” said O’Brien. “We’ve dominated games and lost by the odd goal, so goals are terribly important.

“Form guides and possession and this, that and the other, go out of the window because players know each other, they’re mates and will probably have a drink after the game in the bar and it’s all about bragging rights.

“It will be a fantastic affair and I’m sure it won’t be a 0-0 spectacle.”

Derby day delight over Sittingbourne and Folkestone Invicta will lift Chatham Town closer to the play-off zone.

“I don’t worry against sides that are higher or come as bigger names because it raises players automatically,” said O’Brien. “It’s the teams in and around us that I worry about.

“We want to be in that pack going into the new year. We still want to have something to play for.

“Hats off to Folkestone, they’ve been fantastic this season. They haven’t scored many but they haven’t let in many and sometimes that’s what wins you leagues, going to places and nicking 1-0’s.

“Me and Lew are both winners. Being eighth, we’re not happy with that. We still want to push on and go as high as we can.

“It’s a sad state of affairs if you want to see out the season in midtable and you don’t have much to play for.

“We want to take points off teams above us and around us. The last 21 games are cup finals. We finished last season very well and there’s no reason why we can’t do that again.”

O’Brien gave an insight on what it’s like being a manager for the very first time.

“It’s hard work to be honest,” came his reply. “It’s a massive eye opener for myself and Lew because as a player everything involves around you and as long as you’re playing well, you play the game, have a shower, have a drink and go home.

“My phone is constantly ringing. I’m a father to the players and a mate to the players and an advice bureau to the players, everything you can imagine.

“It’s good, but like people say, you roll with the highs and roll with the lows. Losing games of football hurts more as a manager because there’s not so much you can do about it when the teams runs out at three o’clock and get into gear.

“It’s something we’ve enjoyed and we’re still enjoying .”

Dealing with injuries and suspensions is something that all managers have to deal with and O’Brien will be without John Wilfort, Ben Payne, Ray Powell, Lee Barnett, Brad Potter and Dean Ruddy.

“We’ve got six players who I think will walk into most teams and unfortunately we’re going to be without them,” revealed O’Brien.

“But it’s an opportunity for somebody else to come and have a go and come in and roll their sleeves up and show us what they can do.

“I’m not too disappointed but I’d love to go into the Christmas period with the likes of Ray Powell and John Wilfort as their fantastic players with a lot of experience.

“We’re also losing Dean Ruddy, who has been superb for us. Unfortunately he’s dad hasn’t been too well and he lives in America. Who am I to stop him going to see his father, so he’s off for a week or so to visit his dad.

“Richard Stroud comes in and it’s not a big issue as he’s a good goalkeeper and I’m sure he will do a fantastic job.”

Visit Sittingbourne’s website: www.sittingbournefc.co.uk

Visit Chatham Town’s website: www.chathamtownfc.net

Sittingbourne v Chatham Town

Ryman League Division One South

Boxing Day, Saturday 26th December 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Bourne Park, Central Park Stadium, Eurolink, Church Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3SB