From The Dugout - Otley Town

KDRAFC Media
Sep 17, 2020
2 min read

Following the usual pattern of poor starts to the season, manager Dan Marshall was delighted to see Rangers buck the trend with a 4-1 win against fellow promotion hopefuls Otley Town.

After the game, Dan spoke to KDRAFC Media. Here is what he thought about:

The game itself.

”I thought that we played really well. We spoke to the guys midweek about how we have only won one of our opening games in the last five season I think, and we felt that it was important to get three points on the board following this game.

We started very well and I was very pleased with the opening twenty minutes. We went one-up and I was happy with the chances we were creating and the tempo that we set. We had a little bit of a drop-off and they equalised, but we responded to that and came in three-one at half-time and it could have been more to be fair.

Second half I thought that they changed their shape and we had to deal with something different. All in all, I have no real complaints as I thought we did very well.”

On the importance of a good start.

”It’s what we needed for momentum. We had a good pre-season, but it's all about the next nine months now. We know what we have to do to keep it going, but it will be another tough game against Salts next Saturday.”

On certain performances and a strong substitutes bench.

”We had a very strong bench and the lads that were on the bench were disappointed to be left out, but we explained our reasons why and as I've explained to them after the game they’ll all play a lot of games this season. They all want to play which we appreciate, but in the end, it's the squad that will achieve our goals, not eleven players, and it was the squad that won the game today.

All of the lads that came on added something different. It was disappointing to lose Charlie (Yates) through injury, but Jake (Little) stood out during training in that role and he has created goals for us during this game.”

On the difference that being able to field all five subs makes.

”It definitely makes a difference. I think that it's an advantage for us this year. It's good to be able to change the shape of the game if it's not going our way, or the chance to give someone some minutes if it is.”

On the next game against Salts.

”It will be a tough game. They were probably the best side we faced here last season and they played us off the park. So we have a point to prove going there, but I think it will be a tough game and they will certainly be up there competing at the end of the season.”

Dan Marshall is sponsored by: