‘I’m excited about what they can be’: Andy Whing backs young Brackley Town squad to deliver despite rusty start
Andy Whing is alive to the fact that Brackley Town are an unfinished product and have plenty to learn despite their recent 1-0 win over Harborough Town.
The Saints ended their wait for a first home victory of the season on Saturday, claiming three points for only the third time in Whing’s reign.
But it certainly wasn’t the most glamorous of wins as Tommy Fogarty’s 15th-minute poke from a corner was Brackley’s only shot on target.
Harborough, meanwhile, hit the post once, had a header cleared off the line and missed several big chances due to inaccurate finishing and a string of saves from Harrison Rhone.
“I’m delighted with the three points but I’m not going to say we deserved it, we were probably the poorest we’ve been all season,” Whing admitted post-match.
Brackley are yet to name the same back four in consecutive fixtures so far this campaign, with injuries and suspensions taking hold.
Centre-half Josh Tomlinson returned from a ban just in time for the Harborough match but right-back Kieran Coates remains suspended.
Will Armitage, another centre-back, is only just back from an injury, while Saturday’s scorer Fogarty went off with a hamstring problem late on.
Whing told this newspaper: “It’s a new squad that’s never settled because you’ve always got to make a change, especially in that back line.
“It all seems a bit of a mismatch at the minute. We’ve not had a settled back four and that’s why we’ve tried to keep the rest of the team settled, to keep that continuity.
“It’s going to take time. We’ve got to grind out results when it’s not quite clicking for us and that’s what I’ve told the lads.”
Even though the recently-relegated Brackley haven’t hit the ground running quite as quickly as many would have expected, Whing has full faith that his young squad can develop into a great unit.
“If they want to get to the next level, they’ve all got the ability to do that,” the manager added.
“They’re here because they’re young and going that way, but they have to learn different aspects of football.
“It’s not all pretty stuff with getting on the ball and getting shots off; it’s first contact, second balls, winning fouls, communication.
“They’re the quietest team I’ve ever worked with and you can’t force things. It comes through learning and experience.
“We’ve got lots to work on but I’m enjoying it, it’s a really good group. They’re receptive and I’m excited about what they can be eventually.”