Hinckley AFC’s management team reflected on Saturday’s 3-2 win at Shepshed, saying it was a good workout for the squad.
Carl Abbott and Paul Tomlinson watched on as goals from Jake Healy, Sam Agar and Lee Butler ensured their side won their first game this pre-season with a victory over a higher level opposition.
And Tomlinson said he’s excited by what the group can offer this year. He said: “We’ve just said what a good workout it was. Shepshed are a good side, but we’ve got a good group of lads including five or six top players who aren’t even here today.
“This season is really exciting me at the moment. With what we had here today and what we’ve got to come back, the likes of Sean Geddes, Dom Smith, Sean Williams, it’s phenomenal.
“If we keep this squad together then something special could happen as long as they come with the right attitude, as they have today.”
Meanwhile, Abbott feels the squad is the best he’s had at the club this four, entering his fourth year at the helm.
“I think we’re improving. I think this is the strongest group we’ve had and I’ve never been so sure that a group will deliver for us.
“I’m not predicting they’ll go and win the league but they won’t let us down. They’ll give us everything they’ve got, leave no stone unturned and we’ll find out at the end of the season whether that’s enough.”
And he also said that welcoming back Dom Smith and Alex Morris will help shore up a backline that at times cost them dearly last season.
“We built a really good run on a defensive unit that was solid and dependable in our first year, and that’s probably where we let ourselves down in the last two years.
“The lads know the club and they know what’s expected so they aren’t going to be daunted. They’re all looking forward to being back.”
At the same time, a host of young talent has also been training with the club and Tomlinson feels that the squad is achieving the right balance between youth and experience.
“The young lads will also be important members of the squad. Brad’s pace is frightening which gives us a lot to work with and we’ll try to get the quality of the crossing right. Kyle offers us something different up front and Mitch is fantastic on the ball.
“Carl will always find young talent if if they’re good enough, they’ll play for us.”
To watch the full video interview, head to our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/bIt0F-Y3-_o
