Firstly, we had a referee who was brilliant yesterday, the game was played in good spirits by both clubs and the referee contributed hugely to that, credit where credits due - top job Jorden Gibson.

Saturday August 8th 2021 was my first game as manager of Darlaston, a 4-0 home victory against Chelmsley Town in the Midland Football League Division One. This morning, we still sit in the playoffs of the NPL Midlands Division after a very good point on our travels at Wellingborough.

It’s easy to be emotional due to being 2-0 up and comfortable again, but the full story is clear for everyone to see if you’re interested enough. We’ve finished the last two games with no central defenders on the pitch and that’s on me, and me only, I sign the players, and I choose the mix of the squad. I will look to at our squad the best I can over the next few weeks but again that’s really simple to say and awfully difficult to do. Respectfully, some teams are changing managers and signing and changing half a team weekly - these clubs have different ways of working, with different beliefs, different working models and very importantly different resources, I simply won’t do that, and we don’t have that.

Why do I say this? Well, the teams we’re competing with are in a far different position to us - I can hear the groans in people reading this but it’s absolutely true, I feel at times we’re in a sword fight with a knife and fork then end up frustrated as there are circumstances beyond our control that make it bloody difficult. We came into the league to give it our best, we had, and have, no rights to have a single point in the board as far as I’m concerned, again I hear groans but it’s true, look at experience and resource in our league table and it’s frightening. However, I/we need to suck it up and continue to do what we’re doing. We’re absolutely doing ourselves proud for huge parts of every game and I can’t moan when our lads, who are giving absolutely everything, aren’t robots, or anymore of miracle workers than they already are, but we don’t and won’t make excuses - we will continue to work harder and credit where credits due to my players from me.

What’s very important to me is that I’m having a ball, a great time, I’m 1,000% happier than the previous nine seasons, there’s very little drama or unnecessary BS in this league, it’s just a good honest football challenge.

I’ve said many times that I understand what lane I’m in and our standing within said lane, but I’m absolutely loving the experience, there are teams all around us spending gazillions with a gazillion supporters - top end step 4 and bottom end step 3 - and we’ve just sat our cheeky arses in amongst it throwing everything we’ve got at it and loving every single minute, when I’m at the stage when I pick and choose when I’m happy and only poke my head above the parapet based solely on 3 points will be the day I wrap this game up.

Credit to Wellingborough, they threw absolutely everything at us the last 20 minutes, but we should have been four up at half time again, but a wise manager told me last week, “should’s, would’s and could’s mean sweet FA In football” - he was absolutely right.

Pluses for us - firstly, our first half performance as a group was top drawer so that’s credit to everyone; players, coaches, Physio etc… - Well done.

Individuals - Chezza and Joel were again faultless, Bish stood up again when needed and was very, very good. Our midfield two were outstanding, Rowlo reacted to some feedback last week and was a joke yesterday and I’m buzzing for Tyler who got the goal his recent efforts deserve - well done boys.

We have a supporters’ forum Thursday night at the club - can I ask as many of you attend as possible, I believe it’s important as many of you understand our challenge and what we can all do to help. Please bring a friend and spread the word, I believe it’s important to work harder when we’re on the up rather than reacting when things come on top - where we are may seem a dream, but trust me it’s not, it’s real, and we have challenges ahead.

UTD

Dean