‘It’s a difficult place to come’: James Armson already making dugout impact upon Brackley Town return
Brackley Town assistant manager James Armson has revealed there’s already been a paradigm shift at the football club since his return a week or so ago.
Armson, in as one of new manager Gareth Dean’s right-hand men alongside Alastair Worby, is settling back into familiar surroundings at St James Park.
The 36-year-old spent eight years with Brackley as a player before leaving for AFC Telford United. Now, with a different perspective from the dugout, Armson is eager to make just as strong of an impact.
Brackley’s first National League North fixture under the popular trio of Dean, Armson and Worby ended in frustration as Scarborough Athletic held the Saints to a 1-1 draw.
But there was so much to be pleased about as Brackley looked much improved from their stop-start beginning to the season – and they could have won if one of several late chances was put away.
“We wanted to be brave. You’ll hear us a lot on the side saying, ‘Play forward, run forward’. That’s what we want to do,” Armson told this newspaper.
“There were times last week where we weren’t happy with how side to side and laboured it was.
“We wanted to see more urgency, we wanted to win our duels, we want to be counter-attack with pace.
“They’re showing everybody what great footballers they are.”
It’s not just the attacking side Armson wanted to see improved, but also the defence. Before Saturday, Brackley had conceded 16 goals in eight league games.
To try and sure things up, the new coaching team has opted for a switch to a back three – away from previous boss Andy Whing’s flat four.
Brackley are already reaping the rewards from that simple change, and it’s also given the midfielders a little more licence to roam going forward.
“I think we defended very well and looked hard to beat,” Armson added.
“When Gaz and I came in, it was one thing we wanted – to be hard to beat.
“We want it to be a difficult place to come because it always has been; it’s a difficult place to come, Brackley Town. That’s what we try to instil in the players.”