Kentish Football 
Margate boss Iain O'Connelll wants good pre-season habits
Thursday 22nd July 2010
MARGATE boss Iain O’Connell says he wants to get their pre-season campaign underway with a win on Saturday.
Margate, who have escaped two successive relegations from the Ryman Premier League with the aid of two reprieves, travel to Ryman League Division One South newboys Faversham Town.
Looking forward to the Salters Lane clash, O’Connell told www.margate-fc.com: “Every game I’ve played as a player or a manager, I’ve wanted to win. This pre-season, and Saturday at Faversham, is no different.
“The lads can’t wait to get a match under their belts. And to be honest, neither can I. All the players - including trialists - will get a good run out.”
O’Connell added: “As we get closer to the first league game, my likely starting 11 will get more time on the pitch.”
Training has gone very well and both O’Connell and his assistant John Keister are pleased with how the lads have looked after themselves during the break.
“The players look sharp. We’ve done quite a bit of ball work, looked at patterns of play as well as fitness work,” revealed the boss.
Looking at the playing squad that the Blues are putting together, O’Connell says it is now quite close to the one that will start the season.
He said: “There is some paperwork required to formally complete the signing a number of players, but I expect to make another signing between now and the start of the season.”
While in an ideal world, the gaffer said he would prefer to have another one or two players on the books, he acknowledges that working within a sustainable budget is critical to the ongoing success of the football club. And the manager sees the benefit in fielding a settled side.
“I don’t buy into the idea of a squad rotation system,” he said. “I think there is much more to be gained by the lads getting used to playing together.
“When players do get into the side, they’ve got to work hard to take their chance and keep the shirt. That’s what I want to see from my side this year.”
Just as at Margate, the squad’s at other clubs in the Ryman Premier League are taking shape, O’Connell’s assessment of the likely promotion candidates is: “I think the sides to look out for this season will be those with a good management team and a good budget. I can see Lowestoft, Sutton United and Billericay doing well. Concord Rangers are well managed and have a competitive budget and clearly Tonbridge Angels also have a good budget."
Quotes courtesy of www.margate-fc.com
Faversham Town v Margate
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 24th July 2010
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Salters Lane, Faversham, Kent ME13 8ND
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd