It’s been a busy three months for Spartans manager Paddy Atkinson. Since taking over the role initially in a caretaker position he has overseen the recruitment of several new faces and saw a gradual improvement in performances with a new sense of optimism around the Spartans dressing room as the squad gels and get used to Atkinson and his assistant manager Tom Wade’s methods. While there can be no doubt there have been some lows during their three months in charge, there have also been several more positive outcomes. In the last week their side have put in three good performances and shown the togetherness that is being formed among the squad. Firstly a battling 2-1 win over a physical Matlock Town side was quickly followed up by an epic 5-3 Doodson Sports Cup win over Stocksbridge Park Steels and finally Spartans were narrowly beaten 0-1 by Chorley on Saturday but many feel Atkinson’s side were worth a draw at very least.
So progress has been made and that’s something the Spartans manager admits but still feels there is plenty of work to do for both management and their squad. He said “There has been progress yes but it would be nice if me and Tom could bring in another three or four players to the squad. The lads we have brought in haven’t let us down one bit. Andy Jennings does all that you ask of him as a front man, Jack Stanger is improving all of the time, as is Ryan McGorrigan and the likes of Richie Slaughter and Damen Mullen just don’t let you down. Craig Pickering and Craig Hubbard are still to really get their chance but when they get it I’m confident they will show what they can do. The players who were already here are starting to adapt to our methods and it’s great to see. After the year the club had last year you sometimes find there is a losing mentality or a negative atmosphere around and we have worked hard to make sure that doesn’t happen. It can take time to mould all of that together but we are getting there and we will get there.”
With work ongoing to bring in new recruits to their squad Atkinson and Wade have been keeping a keen eye on potential targets both in person and through contacts around the region. The Spartans manager is keen to continue with the reshaping of the squad but is keen to ensure that team spirit is maintained and improved. He said “We have a budget here and me and Tom know what that is so we are working to ensure that we stay within that budget and balance that out with bringing the right players into this club, ones that want to wear the shirt and wear it with pride because our supporters deserve that. It’s not just about picking the team, it’s about making sure that players are on the same kind of pay so there are no attitudes and everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet. You can see with the team spirit the dressing room is a lot better than it has been and there is togetherness. The performances of late have been made through a togetherness and a team spirit but we still need to improve on the quality and consistency.”
As Atkinson and Wade try to improve on league form and consequently league position throughout the second half of the season, the former York City and Queen of the South player feels that one key factor will help them achieve that goal. He said “The good thing is we have a squad of seventeen or eighteen players and they are all good enough to be selected in that starting eleven but it’s down to them to perform on a consistent basis. They know now that if they don’t do that then there is someone ready to come in and take their shirt and that’s what it is about. It’s about getting eleven lads starting a game playing good football on a consistent basis and that pressure of competition in the squad can inspire them.”
Atkinson admitted that everyone at the club is focused on the current season and ensuring that his squad go into the summer with a positive run behind them but also revealed there is one eye on next season and plans are already underway to ensure Spartans are quick out of the blocks come next August. He said “Obviously last year we didn’t have the best pre-season in terms of friendlies, player recruitment and departures and it was a bit of a shambles but we are already planning for next season. We are looking at friendlies against stronger opposition and also the possibility of a four team tournament to be held at Croft Park with one or two Scottish sides coming down. Tom and myself are working very hard to get this club in a position to not only finish off the current season well but to be well prepared both on and off the pitch next season.”