The Shaymen were held to a 1-1 draw last night against Yeovil, and the Gaffer, Pete Wild, gave his post-match thoughts to ShaymenTV.
Wild began the interview by giving his overall reflection of the 90 minutes; “It was an interesting game, I thought they were the better team and had majority of the possession, we dropped far too deep early. But ultimately, we’ve had the best chances of the game – two on the line we’ve had to kick in and there was one on the pull-back in the second half. We had the best chances, but we didn’t take them and that’s why we only drew the game.
“Yeovil had a lot of the ball, and they caused us a lot of problems – probably the team that has caused us the most problems this year, however, we caused our own problems in we didn’t get our structure and shape right – it was the structure that has been great in the last three games, that wasn’t good tonight. We only got a grip of the structure when we changed personnel and went back to our original shape.
“The last thirty minutes became very open and we looked a threat again, but all-in-all, there is a lot to think about, a lot to learn but I’m stood here again saying we have had some great chances but not taken them and that has been our Achilles heel so far. But we have another point on the board – that’s a positive, because last year Yeovil came here and turned us over so it’s another improvement.”
The Shaymen went ahead early in the game, through Jeff King’s first goal for the club, which was a well created move that ended with King – who has had an impressive start to the season. This is something the Gaffer touched upon.
“Firstly, the goal is systematic of what we have been working on all season and how we want to play, at half time I said when we get the ball down and play, we are excellent to watch and then when we try long hopeful balls; we are not excellent to watch. So, that was a great move and a great goal – we should have had another a few minutes later through Woodsy (Martin Woods), but he somehow kicked it wide from two yards.
“As for Jeff, he’s had a great start to the season and has matured excellently, and long may that continue, because he’s certainly proving himself this season after an excellent back end of last season.”
King is one of seven players left from the 2019/20 squad, with there being a bulk of new signings that have come into the Shay, this season – Wild spoke upon the new signings and how they’ve affected the side after four leagues games played.
“I think as a team we have a good structure about us, we are causing teams a lot of problems and playing a lot of football – I can see miles of improvement from last year; the improvement is absolutely night and day from last year. We just need to take our chances now and that’s the final bit – once we do that the better; the more sleep I will get. Hopefully we will pull a run together and until then, it’s another point on the board, 40 games left to play, and a lot of football still left. Let’s just keep progressing and moving forward in the right direction.”
Before the season began, many tipped Yeovil to be one of the promotion favourites, therefore the question beckoned – with the Shaymen equalling the Glovers, is this a clear indication of where Halifax are?
Wild answered; “Yeovil will be up there come the shake up and will get their side together, they’ll start putting wins together, so yes, if we want to be at that end of the table then we have to compete with teams such as Yeovil, their budgets and their players. I am very pleased we have gone toe-to-toe with them tonight, and we had some good chances which hopefully bodes well for the encounter at Woking on Saturday.”
Pete added on his thoughts going into the game with the Cardinals; “It’s another tough game, they’ve had a good start to the season and Alan Dowson is a good manager, so they will be bang up for it. They’re a tough to beat at home, so we’ve got to get on the front foot and try take the game to them and not let them take the game to us.”
The Woking fixture on this coming Saturday, means it will be a case of playing Saturday-Tuesday, Saturday-Tuesday over the past two weeks, Wild gave his view on whether that would hinder his players.
“We look fit, we look stronger and we are better prepared this season athletically – with a better athletic group, which means the Saturday-Tuesday’s will be fine for us. You saw tonight, 89 minutes and the lads are running their socks off; getting there to try score a goal and get out there and press the ball.”
Lastly, the Gaffer ended the interview by giving and injury update; “We are hoping to have Jake Hyde back around the squad next Saturday as he is progressing well. Reuben Noble-Lazarus is progressing well too, and Matty Stenson probably has another two-and-a-half weeks to go.”
Watch the full interview on ShaymenTV.
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