3:00pm Friday 20th August 2010
By Andrew Simpson
WITTON manager Paul Ogden has tipped his team to challenge for a play-offs place ahead of Saturday’s Evo-Stick Division One North opener against Garforth Town.
He told the Guardian that his side is equipped to spring a surprise after being left out of most observers’ list of promotion hopefuls this summer.
“It’s time to get down to business,” he said.
“If nobody is talking about us then that suits me just fine to be honest; I’m confident we can finish among the top five teams in this division.
“There’s no point me being here if I didn’t believe in that.”
And Ogden has urged Albion fans to check on the progress of his players by heading to Wincham Park tomorrow, Saturday, Witton play Garforth for the first time.
He told supporters at last Saturday’s pre-season forum that he wanted to see a 300-plus crowd.
“We need your help,” he said.
“I’m interested only in us starting the season with a win and from there we can really build.
“I think everybody is fed up of friendlies now; it’s been a long, hard summer and the lads are desperate to get out there and start winning some football matches.”
He added former Buxton schemer Christian Millar to his squad this week as well as changing his mind that Dean Canning – a new recruit from Curzon Ashton – could be useful to the club this season.
There remains a space to be filled in Albion’s attack too, according to the manager.
Ogden added: “I’ve said it before; I’ll make tough choices.
“Nobody was more surprised than Dean when I told him his time was up but I don’t feel he’s lived up to the expectations I had of him.
“I can’t carry any passengers; everybody will play a part this season.
“It’s no secret that I’m still looking to improve the team and if I can bring in a player that makes us better then I’m prepared to do it.
“I’m not saying anything that the lads already here don’t know already.”
Kick off tomorrow afternoon is 3pm.
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