Hassocks head coach gives his thoughts four months into the season to Steve Bone at the Mid Sussex Times
Hassocks boss James Westlake surveyed the progress he and his new-look team have made this season and declared: “I’m really pleased.”
The Robins opted for a change of manager at the end of last season and Westlake has got them playing well – and sitting comfortably in the top half of the Southern Combination League Premier Division.
Hassocks currently sit sixth in the table and Westlake said: “I’m really pleased with the progress we’ve made over the first quarter of this season.”
“It was a busy summer with new signings and as everyone knows, it takes time to blend a squad together.”
“To be sitting just inside the top six and progressing in the Sussex Senior Cup and the RUR Cup is a testament to this new group of players.”
“There’s still plenty to work on and develop but we recognise the progress made in a short space of time.”
Westlake said of his side’s recent 2-2 draw at home to Lingfield: “It was a fair result in the end but a game that we feel we should have gone on to win.”
“It was a slow start from us and we conceded a really sloppy goal but credit to the players – they recovered well and played good football for the remaining 35 minutes of the first half.”
“We got ourselves in a fantastic position to go on and win in the second half but Lingfield stuck at it and got a deserved equaliser.”
“While we were disappointed, we always take the positives from the game and move on.”
Westlake is content with the size and quality of the squad he has at his disposal, saying: “We are really pleased with the current state of the squad.”
“There have been some excellent performances through the team and we have great strength in depth.”
“Joe Bull has been excellent for us since the start of the season. ‘Bully’ has slotted in brilliantly at left-back and his performances on the pitch have rewarded him with the player of the month award for October.”
“We have recently welcomed JJ Minty on loan from Burgess Hill and Tom Tennant from Loxwood, who will both give us strength in depth in midfield.”
