Improving Brakes to reap the benefits of a stronger squad

Leamington manager Paul Holleran said the 4-0 rout of Oxford City on Boxing Day had been coming.
Recent Leamington signing Simon Forsdick in action for Nuneaton.Recent Leamington signing Simon Forsdick in action for Nuneaton.
Recent Leamington signing Simon Forsdick in action for Nuneaton.

Searching for their first league win since October 4, Brakes stunned their play-off chasing visitors, keeping only their third clean sheet of the season into the bargain.

The victory followed on from narrow defeats at both AFC Fylde and Guiseley and Holleran said the signs of improvement were there.

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“We’ve had a couple of decent performances and we were really on the front foot on Friday.

“Obviously it helps with Delroy (Gordon) and Ross (Atkins) getting more games and Jordan Goddard being near to fully fit while the sending-off gave us an advantage.

“Plus, we weren’t playing a Guiseley or a Fylde.

“But we were in a good position by then already and the performance was another little notch up from the last couple.”

Having brought in Atkins, Gordon and Simon Forsdick in the last few weeks, Holleran is now hoping to reap the rewards of a settled squad for the remainder of the campaign.

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“I feel that the balance of the squad is looking better. We’ve had to change things around and it’s the strongest the squad has looked since the back end of last season.

“It’s taken longer than we would have liked but we’re certainly getting there.”

Forsdick joined Brakes from Nuneaton following a season on the sidelines with a cruciate ligament injury.

However, Holleran has no concerns about his fitness and believes the 31-year-old will make an positive impact for his new side on and off the pitch.

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“He’s had a number of training session with us and he’s looked good.

“He’s different to what we’ve got in that he talks and shares his opinions, plus when you get him on the pitch he’s a very good player.

“One of his major appeals is that he can play a number of positions.

“When you’ve not got a big squad you need players who can be versatile and he’s a three in one player - he can play on the left-hand side or the middle of the pitch.

“We got ten minutes into him against Oxford to strengthen his legs and he’s not far away.

“He’s fit and now it’s just a case of him getting match-fit.”

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