Windsor host Combined Counties League new boys Chalfont St Peter at Stag Meadow on Tuesday night hoping to kick-start a season that has so far failed to yield a win for returning boss Mick Woodham.
Woodham, who replaced Mark Cooper in the summer, was speaking to Football in Berkshire on Tuesday afternoon and was typically honest when he described Windsor’s current status and slow start to the season.
“It’s a start I expected,” he said. “Pre-season was a bit uninspiring. To be honest, the two FA Cup games against Royal Wootton Bassett Town and league games against Ascot United and Harefield United were better for us, proper competitive games and have given us a base to go off of. Of course, we all want to win but we have to get things right on and off the pitch.”
Relegated from the Isthmian League at the end of last season, Chalfont have similarly started slowly with an early FA Cup exit and a league defeat and draw so far. Woodham said: “Hopefully, that win will happen tonight in front of the fans at Stag Meadow. I watched a lot of them [Chalfont] last season but they are a new group, a young group, they’ll be fit and it’ll be a challenge for us.”
Arrivals from Slough Town
Woodham has made use of his relationship with Vanarama National League South Slough Town’s managers Neil Baker and Jon Underwood, having previously worked with the duo to give striker Dan Roberts a platform to push on up the leagues.
As such the Windsor boss has signed defender Ryan Bird for the three games and has brought over young midfielder Fabio Sole who impressed so far at Arbour Park: “Ryan we’ve got in for three games. He’s here for match sharpness and getting minutes. We’ve also got Fabio in tonight. It’s a relationship [with Slough] I am going to lean on this season. Neil and Jon were fantastic with me when I was out of a job and we’ve got a relationship from the last time I was here at Windsor. They trust us, trust our pitch and we’re just over the road. It makes things really easy for them.”
Looking forward, Woodham was realistic about where his side currently sit in the pecking order describing the situation as ‘being behind a white ball’. But speaking to Mick there is belief, and certainly, no doubt that the Royalist’s boss will get his side on the right track.
“At the end of the Bank Holiday weekend, we want good points on the board. A settled group to go on with. That process starts tonight, we have to take advantage of our home games. The players will know they improve, they get the job done and they’ll stay in the team.
“I didn’t go into this season in the Combined Counties League with my eyes closed, but there have been some surprises. Teams are organised, there are plenty that don’t have financial resources but are getting it right. But there’s room for everyone at this level, I am a firm believer in that and I’ve done it before.
“Look at how Virginia Water and Holyport have gone so far. Well run clubs inside and out but they are progressing faster than us at the moment. Historically Windsor should be in front of them, but we can’t afford to live off past glories, we’re behind a white ball at the moment, they are clubs I could get players from before, not at the moment, that’s the reality of where we are.
“My job is to improve Windsor on and off the pitch, it’s going to take some time and we’ve got some work to do.”
The Woodham revolution continues on Tuesday night (7:45pm) with Chalfont St Peter at Stag Meadow. Adult tickets are £7.50, concessions £4.50. Payment on the gate and at the bar is cashless. A full list of fixtures for Tuesday night and the weekend are here.
