People say we're going to struggle - I'm going to prove them wrong, vows Angels boss Tommy Warrilow

TONBRIDGE ANGELS boss Tommy Warrilow says he is going to prove people wrong to ensure the newly promoted club enjoy their inaugural Blue Square Bet (Conference) South campaign, writes Stephen McCartney.


The Angels are playing at this level for the very first time after enjoying their best ever season in their history after they finished runners-up to Sutton United in the Ryman Premier League and winning enthralling home play-off games against Harrow Borough and Lowestoft Town.

“I want everyone to stick together this year, be a little bit patient and enjoy it,” said Warrilow, ahead of their opening day trip to Maidenhead United on Saturday.

“There’s no expectations’ on us from beyond the club.  No-one seems to be talking about us, unless it’s in the relegation zone, which is a bit weird.

“Quite a few people expect us to go down, which is a new tag.  Teams don’t know us.  They think we’re just a little club from Kent.  A lot of teams think we’re going to struggle this year, so what I’m going to do is prove them wrong.

“Anyone who knows me and the boys know we’re not going in there just to make the numbers up.  I want to go in there and make a fist of it, win the league but realistically we need to have a reality check as we’re in a different ball park from last year.”

When asked about pre-season, Warrilow, 44, reflected on some ups and downs.

He said: “It’s been good and bad.  It’s been not as good as we want it to be but I think after the euphoria of last year I don’t think it’s any harm. We’ve had some good bits and bad and things to work on.  The main thing is the boys’ have got their fitness and we know what we’re going into this year so the most important thing is we hit the ground on Saturday.

“I’ve tried a few different things out and learnt some stuff, which I’d rather find out in pre-season games and I’ve got every faith in the players I’ve got, to do well this year.”

Warrilow is looking forward to their historic opening game at Maidenhead United on Saturday.

When asked what he is expecting against Johnson Hippolyte’s men, Warrilow said: “Tough, a very, very physical, tough game.  They’ve had a good pre-season so they will probably have a little bit of a spring in their step.”

But Warrilow urged the Angels’ faithful not to be too despondent following pre-season, saying, “Pre-season doesn’t count for everything!  I’ve played in pre-season when we’ve won every game and struggled to start and visa-versa, where we’ve lost every game and started well.

“It’s a new area for us to go into but we know this year we’re going to expect a game everywhere we go.  Last year, I think without being disrespectful, you used to sit down and highlight half-a-dozen games where you can hope to get points out of them.

“This year we’re going into it treating everyone with the same respect, whether they finished top or down the bottom half last year.”

Sutton United travel to Longmead Stadium next Tuesday (7:45pm) – a tasty first home game of the season.

The Angels’ home form at the Cauldron of Passion that is Longmead Stadium was the catalyst for the club’s promotion last season and the Angels’ faithful are expected to make their own ground an intimidating venue for opposing teams.

“We’ve had three home (pre-season) games and we’ve not reached the heights we did last year, which to be fair, I expect in pre-season,” said Warrilow.

“Against Sutton, we’ve always had some very good games, very close games.  I don’t think anyone’s gone and really given someone a good hiding in the games.  We’ve always put in good performances against them and last year we got undone by the odd goal.

“Paul Doswell (the Sutton United manager) has recruited well again this year, brought some good players in.”

But with a quality front line, Warrilow expects his forwards to punish rival defences – as strikers in Conference South are more clinical than in the Ryman Premier League.

He said: “I was saying to the boys last night, I believe in them.  I’m looking at my forwards.  I’m not going to swap them for any of them and I’ve gone through the side.  The most important thing is to work hard and to earn the right to play and to work for ninety minutes and that’s the standard I’ll be asking for from Saturday.”

When asked which of his players he has the most high hopes for, Warrilow replied, “To be honest, I don’t want to pick anyone out.  I’m expecting high hopes from all of them.

“Last year, if Frannie (Collin) hadn’t got injured he may have been contesting the Golden Boot.  Ade (Olorunda) came in at the latter part of the season and proved what an valuable asset he is.

“Up front we’re inundated with quality, without adding Jon Main to that, who will always bring you goals. 

“No team of individuals are going to stand out.  I just want a good team effort from everyone.  I don’t want no-one to start taking all the accolades for the season or any games.”

Warrilow added: “I will be pushing the lads on every single game.  I’m hoping we can surprise a few people. I will concentrate on my players.  We are entering the unknown.  Sometimes we may have to learn the hard way.”

Visit Tonbridge Angels’ website: www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk  

Maidenhead United  v  Tonbridge Angels
Blue Square Bet South
Saturday 13^th August 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
At York Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 1SF

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