Prescot Cables manager Kevin Lynch has fired a warning to his players ahead of their FA Cup clash with Ashton Athletic.
The Extra-Preliminary Round clash with the North West Counties Premier Division side sparks the beginning of the competitive season for Cables.
It promises to be his first full season after he entered the fray following the Pesky Bulls’ tricky start to the campaign, last year.
Their superior points per game guaranteed them survival which was helped by their upturn in form under Lynch.
Prescot Cables have had an unusual pre-season by normal standards, but is through no mistake as their manager looked to avoid burning his players out.
But with their preparations in the books, Lynch is adamant that he will be drilling into his players the importance of the clash but also the threat of the visitors who come to the Joseph Russell Stadium on Saturday.
“You never underestimate any opposition,” he told Off The Park. I think when the draw comes out, all you ask for is a home draw. Prescot is a tough place to come for any team regardless of what level, we’re looking at doing that. We won’t take them lightly or for granted.
“FA Cup and the spirit of the FA Cup always gets your appetite going because it is a fantastic competition for lower league teams and there’s evidence of that with what Marine did. That’s what we’ve got to be looking for. We’re excited for it, looking forward to it but we won’t be taking it lightly.”
Following the upturn in form last season, Lynch was pleased with their showing as the positive signs began to emerge.
But with the new season on the horizon, he didn’t wish to be drawn on disclosing the club’s ambition for the season, adding: “Privately, you do set benchmarks within the dressing room, it’s important it stays in the dressing room but certainly upon the reflection of last season, where we was and what we was fighting for that’s the first season or not put the fans or club through what they went through last season and that’s bit.
“They’ve seen the glimpses and they were looking at the green shoots, now it’s time to look at the flowers there’s a lot of excitement around the place. As I said, it’s down to the players to perform.
“To be honest I planned it because I don’t like doing overload with games and stuff like that,” Lynch said on their pre-season schedule.
“It’s important to get your baseline fitness in, as the season starts approaching I like to look at the games to give you a look and feel of how players are but I just thought first was to get the baseline fitness in before we got to the games, that’s why I planned it really. Taking shape, everything’s taking shape, lads are in a good place, they’ve worked hard, loads of positives and the lads we’ve brought in have settled in really well, it’s been really.
“I took over in a difficult time, a difficult stage of the season with the players and the squad that we had, I think what we’ve done now is towards the end of the season was we assembled a good squad and it was reflected in how we finished the season,” he continued on his dealings during the close season.
“I wanted to keep the nucleus of that team together and I think it was important not to bring too many players, I was inundated with trialists wanting to come but I didn’t go for that, I wanted to keep the nucleus of the squad – add a few players and create and develop a team spirit that’s needed. Once you get that, you put your own slant on that. Don’t look back, look forward and that’s what we’re doing.
“Some of the signings that we’ve made have enhanced how we are, how we play, competition has gone up which is good. I’m pleased overall with either the signings we’ve brought in and kept the lads we wanted to keep which always bodes well for going into the season. Looking forward to the games now, pre-season is about baseline fitness and how you’re trying to play, it all starts when there’s three points or the FA Cup up for grabs. We’re all looking forward to get going.”
