Ollerton Town assistant says side need to develop a ruthless streak

Steve Bodle says plans are already in place for next season.

Town hit 41 goals in their 26 NCEL Division One outings but were guilty of chucking plenty of points away after failing to take their chances.

And Bodle knows that his players must find their cutting edge if they are to climb the table next time out.

"You look at our stats and we struggled for goals,” he said. “We have to look at getting them from all over the pitch, plus be better with our set pieces.

Steve Bodle wants his players to be better at taking their chances. Pic by Andy Sumner.

“It was Ollerton all over to lose Gav King to Maltby and then lose Higgo to injury.

“From there we lacked a focal point until we signed Fouldsy (Sam Foulds) who since coming in has been great for us.

“We’ve missed that type of player since (Kyle) Ludlow a few years ago. Ben (Partridge), Higgo (Conor Higginson) and the younger lads will benefit from hopefully having Sam around next year but as with anything, we will look to increase numbers up top, just in case we lose a player to another club or through injury.

“We are always learning. Last year we played some great stuff, created lots of chances but didn’t take them which then damaged momentum and confidence.

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“We knew if we conceded we would find it tough to get back into games. Is that a dig? Maybe, but not just at the lads up top, it was everyone. Again, I look at myself.

“Did I give Higgo the right pre-season? I let him do his own thing when I should have set the tone. Did I get to know Ben enough? I didn’t get to know his game so I allowed him to play in the wrong areas.

“I should have done better and that’s the opportunity for us and the management team for next season.

Bodle, who will clock up 10 years at the Walesby Lane club in October 2021, knows his side must also be better at doing the basics.

“I’ll be able to say the team talk for every manager in the league against us,” he added.

“Be physical, stop them playing, get in their faces and you’ll break them down. Be patient and they’ll give you a chance”.

“It’s the basics that killed us at times. We have to do better at the ugly side of the game, win our battles and our football will win us games.”

And, despite the ongoing uncertainty, planning is already well underway for the start of the new season.

Pre-season fixtures have already been lined up with flexible dates in place.

Training will also resume with social distancing measures in place once it is safe to do so.

Talks have also been held with current players as Town look to put their squad together.

“Keeping in touch with the lads is key, but so is our thoughts on what we will look like, how to set up, what was good last year and what didn’t work, how we can evolve as a team and how do I,” added Bodle.

“Football is a simple game but there’s always something to learn and get better at.

“Plus we’re seeing what lads may be doing next season. Of course we aren’t naïve enough to believe what gets promised now will still be the case when the season starts.

“A few of our lads have been approached, as they should, we’ve got a good bunch. I’d be wrong to say I’ve not spoken to a few new lads myself, it’s the nature of the beast.”

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