THE 1874 COLUMN - a different perspective, by Matt Waters

DURING the 2015-16 season, we experienced our first managerial change.

After several successful years under Ian Street came to an end, we saw our assistant manager Paul Bowyer and first team-coach Wayne Goodison step up into the role of joint managers.

So far in their tenure, we have seen a brand of football we weren’t used to and have experienced great runs in the FA Cup and FA Vase, but notably winning the Macron Cup at the end of last season.

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As someone who has experienced football management before, Wayne Goodison was stepping back into a role he hadn’t necessarily enjoyed in the past.

“I fell into a role as player/manager at Buxton many years ago and that was an impossible task so I actually said I’d prefer not to manage again,” said Wayne.

“Doing it in a joint basis however suits me, and Paul, perfectly. We both have our strengths and weaknesses of course.”

When Wayne originally joined the club at the start of the 2015 season as first-team coach, he saw a lot of transition in his role, not just on a matchday, but also at training.

Wayne explained: “As a coach under Ian I had no real say in team selection or match tactics, Paul obviously did to a degree as assistant manager and that was right as two voices are enough really.

“I think we both realised early on that we could develop a good relationship around team issues and how we wanted to do things so that made the transition smooth enough.”

With 1874 lying third in the table and suffering only one defeat, Wayne said it’s important that him and Paul both share the same outlook in management.

He said: “We both know our own strengths and weaknesses and are always honest with each other.

“It’s very rare we disagree and if we do, we can discuss things and see each other’s viewpoint.

“I think it helps that we both have the same outlook on how we want the team to play and behave and so most things we decide on are easy enough decisions.

“In our own ways we both have good attention to detail.”

With attention on the current season, Wayne said 1874 have to improve on last year.

“We want to be more competitive than last season,” he said.

“If we are then I’d expect us to have a decent season.

“The players have worked really hard to improve physically and in their style of play since we came back in June and I’d really like them to have a good season for that reason alone!”