Winning games is the priority, says Tunbridge Wells boss Martin Larkin

TUNBRIDGE WELLS boss Martin Larkin says he is looking for improvements from everyone inside his changing room, ahead of the club’s Kent Hurlimann Football League opener against newly promoted side Cray Valley (Paper Mills) on Saturday.

It’s been a busy summer at Culverden Stadium on and off the pitch, with various ground improvements made, a batch of new signings to add to a well-established squad, and a string of decent results (not to mention the first trophy being won for the cabinet).

“Pre-season has been very useful,” Larkin told www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk ahead of the opening day clash against Steve Chapman’s side at Culverden Stadium.

“We have had to integrate some new players after losing two key performers last year, and we have used the time to get ourselves up to the required fitness levels which has taken a lot less time this year than last.”

Outlining specifics, Larkin observed: “We had to replace two things, firstly the 30 goals Keelan Mooney and Jon Pilbeam (who have signed for Whitstable Town and Chatham Town respectively) scored between them last year, and then the 20 assists that they also created. The summer has given us the chance to achieve this as we have brought in Andy Irvine (Woodstock Sports) and Ross Cable, which has allowed us to move Carl Cornell into a role that should bring the best out of him.

Larkin said: “Nick Nowotny has also joined from Maidstone and has looked lively so it will be interesting to watch him take the chances. Getting Gary Clarke back was a huge boost - he has been a target for two years so we are delighted to get him.

“The players came back in very good shape this year which is always a good indication of their commitment and desire levels. I think we have performed well in the pre-season games we have played and built some momentum. Four wins and a draw from six games is pleasing. To finish with a win over a Ryman League side (Whyteleafe) when we trailed at half time has given everyone the confidence needed to start the new season well.”

Perhaps the most welcome part of the pre-season preparations was the Courier Cup win - the club's first since 2006.

“We wanted to win it, simple as that,” Larkin outlined. “It was unfortunate that the weekend fell on a date when we had four or five players away on holiday meaning we could not rotate as much as we wanted, but we were keen to do well as it is an important tournament that the committees of the main clubs involved work very hard on - so its important you show it the respect it deserves.

“I appreciate Tonbridge Angels’ position in sending a youth/reserve side mix on the Saturday - they are a Conference South side now and have to adapt their pre-season accordingly: if they felt a friendly at Beckenham that day was better for them than playing us then I have no issues with that.

“I felt our performance on the Sunday in the final certainly reflected our respect for the committees involved in organizing the cup. Trophies - whether won in pre-season or during the season - are nice to pick up. Pre-season ones help raise the mood during training when everyone is working very hard.

“In short, we have achieved everything that we were looking to do this summer, but as it stands the new recruits are just names on the squad list, the results of the pre-season games don’t count for anything ultimately, and we don’t have any points yet, so the time to reflect on our acquisitions and see if they have worked where it really matters will be after the first five or six games.”

Once again, the majority of the squad remains together, and is becoming a seasoned group of players now having achieved improvement on the field for three consecutive seasons in terms of league placing. Larkin is careful that no room is left for anyone to show complacency, however, and isn’t looking only at individuals for improvement.

“We are looking for improvements from everyone within the changing room,” he says. “Brad Sandeman and I will look to improve, as will the players. There is a genuine hunger to improve on last year’s performances again.”

One curiosity emerging from the six games played over the course of pre-season is that in spite of 14 goals hitting the back of the net, the manager has been quoted on more than one occasion regarding wasted opportunities up-front. Nevertheless, he has no intention of allowing the 100+ goals of last season to become a target for the new season.

“Wins are more important to be honest, and once the competitive action starts, if we win 23 league games 1-0, I’ll take that. The issue behind the comments on wasted chances centres on winning games that you should win. I ended last season outlining that if we’d won five of the games we’d drawn and should have won, we’d have got a top-three finish. This year, I don’t want to see us looking at what we could have won - I want to see us clinical enough to win games outright. No ifs and buts - winning games is the priority.

“Defensively we are very happy with where we are (four of the six goals conceded pre-season were against Ryman League opponents). That’s not to say there isn’t still another level for us to kick up to, but we are excited about the platform we have built.”

It’s fair to say the last several weeks have been constructive, and offer plenty of signs of another good season ahead at Culverden. As Cray Valley (Paper Mills) roll into town on Saturday afternoon, Larkin has a message for the supporters:

“I’d appeal to the support who were excellent last season to get behind us again and be patient. I know you will all have your individual favourites in the side, but we will be putting a team out capable of winning Kent League games week-in-week-out, and the more vocal you are in your support the better for us. As ever, you know where I am after games if you have any questions.”

Article courtesy of www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk

Tunbridge Wells  v  Cray Valley (Paper Mills)
Kent Hurlimann Football League
Saturday 13^th August 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Culverden Stadium, Culverden Down, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 9SG

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