Altendorff Answers Back
‘U’s manager faces up to questions from HUGH SULLIVAN after the game against Merstham
David Altendorff with new recruits Jedd Hobbs and Harry Haines
HS: How did you rate the performance today?
DA: I was really happy. It’s a shame we didn’t score early on when we were right on top. In the second half it could have gone either way. Our keeper made some good saves, but we had chances too. I agreed at the end with the Merstham manager Jamie Decruz, who I get on well with, that a draw was probably fair.
HS: How about the season as a whole?
DA: Obviously the first task is to avoid relegation. But I think we’re much better than our league position suggests, and I’m sure the points will come. There are 12 games left. We probably need four wins – I’m confident we’ll get them.
HS: Do you now have the players you want?
DA: When a new manager arrives, there are bound to be changes in the squad. Some players want to leave with the outgoing manager, some players for whatever reason don’t fit with the new regime. We [I and my assistant Alex Marr] have brought in new players who’ve enjoyed playing with me with before, and if there’s a chance of getting in some on loan for short term benefit, we’ll do it – particularly in our league position, we need to get as many points as we can. It wasn’t my intention to make as many changes as we’ve done. But overall, I think the squad is in much better shape now than when we first came in.
HS: You’ve put another couple of new players in today.
DA: Yes, keeper Harry Haines and number 10 Jedd Hobbs have come to us on loan from Bromley Under-21s for the rest of the season. We’ve watched Harry for quite a time, and Jedd at 17 is a real prospect – sharp and energetic. They’re good quality footballers and they’ll help us.
HS: How did George Taggart feel about being left out today?
DA: I’m sure he’s very disappointed. But I’ve worked with George before, he knows I rate him highly, and he has a lot to contribute – very much part of our future. I try to be transparent with the players, giving them a clear set of criteria. If they do everything they’re asked to, they’ll be in the team.
HS: You live in Haywards Heath, and you’ve set up training in Brighton. How does having to train there affect the squad?
DA: We’re not in Brighton for my own benefit, it’s because there are no 3G pitches in Hastings, nor were there any available in Eastbourne. It was okay training on the Pilot Field pitch at the beginning of the season, but in winter – particularly with the weather we’ve been having – that’s not feasible. We were lucky to find training facilities both at Varndean School [in Brighton] and at Sussex University. We go there on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. To be honest, it probably suits the majority of players to be training at a central location in Sussex rather than in Hastings. And they’re all ambitious and professional – they understand they may need to spend an hour in the car getting to a place that’s suitable to train at.
HS: How would you describe the type of football you’re aiming for?
DA: I like football to be possession-based, playing through midfield. But we have to be pragmatic and adapt to the surfaces we play on. About a third of the teams in our division play on 3G, but the majority play on grass like us, which at this time of year means uneven ground where the ball’s going to bobble and deviate.
HS: Has the team played better on the 3G pitches?
DA: In terms of results, there’s been no correlation. We’ve won on grass, lost on grass; won on 3G, lost on 3G. Overall, the team has struggled for consistency, but I don’t think it’s to do with that.
HS: In all the league games which the team has won this season, it has already been leading at halftime. Why do you think second halves have been such a struggle?
DA: I don’t really know, but I don’t think it’s fitness. Not everyone can run forever like Jordan Mase, but every player wears a GPS tracker, so we can monitor their physical performance. I think it’s more of a mental thing. When you’re down at the bottom end of the league, winning isn’t something you’re used to and, towards the end of a game, it feels harder to get there.
HS: How about next season?
DA: Assuming we stay up, I’m optimistic that we can make a serious promotion push next year. I believe in this group of players. They’re always very confident going into every game – there’s good morale in the dressing-room. And, behind them, owners who’ve given me and Alex a warm welcome, a good set of volunteers, and great supporters. I’m genuinely super-excited about next season.
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