After his first training session with the team, new Workington boss Chris Willcock is looking forward to seeing them in action at Borough Park tomorrow.
Reds host Lancaster City looking to prove themselves on track for the new seeason against a team from a level higher, the NPL Premier Division.
Willcock said: “It was good to get my first session with the lads last night and I had chance to put forward one or two different things which I hope they will be able to implement tomorrow.
“It will take time to get to know them all as individuals but I’m looking forward to it. We had a very good session last night with virtually everyone in attendance.
“Lancaster will be a test but I hope to see us doing better in the final third than we have in the two games I have seen.
“We are likely to be under a bit more pressure, too, so although I want us to use the ball well and put them under pressure when we can, it is important to be solid defensively.”
Workington are still without striker Scott Allison and close-season signing Iyrwah Gooden is unavailable, while Lancaster will include former Reds full-back Liam Brockbank in their squad.
Willcock still has to decide on a second goalkeeper for the coming NPL season, and already knows that Jim Atkinson won’t be available for the early FA Cup-tie at home to Marine. Atkinson is attending a long-time arranged family wedding.
“I’m going to have a chat with Danny Eccles who had a good session training with us last night.
“Having two keepers helps keep them on their toes although I do know people who would help us out for a one-off situation.
“My view on all positions is that I wouldn’t bring anyone to the club just to make-up numbers. They have to be capable of challenging right away for a place or be able to go straight into the team,” said the manager.
He also admitted it isn’t proving easy to find a final warm-up fixture before Reds start the League programme at Kidsgrove on August 14.
“We knew it would be hard finding a game for August 7 so we have extended that now to the Wednesday night but so far have not been successful. We will keep trying,” he said.
Reds v Lancaster kicks off at Borough Park at 3pm.
