Altrincham FC manager Lee Sinnott will be giving us the inside track on the Robins’ return to the Conference. Here’s his latest column for Altrincham Today.
Apart from the first few minutes of our 2-2 draw with Forest Green Rovers on Saturday, I thought we bossed proceedings. In our last two games, we have faced Macclesfield and Forest Green, both in the top five, and there’s a case for wondering whether we might be sitting here with six points out of six. We could be quite easily, but instead it’s just one, and that shows the bridge that’s still to be made.
We went 4-4-2 with two up front for this game, because I thought that was best for us on the day. I like players to be adaptable, and that is particularly important with a small squad.
One formation is not going to work for you throughout the whole season, and that is why you have to be prepared, and be able to switch. I can think of four different systems we have used this season. By doing that, you can’t be second-guessed quite so easily, and you can always change from one formation to another when the need arises.
I thought Kyle Perry did extremely well when he came on against Aldershot and again at Macclesfield, so he deserved a start in this game. He was in on merit and he again played really well. When the ball goes into him, it sticks, which is important, and he also showed some clever touches.
Our first goal set the tone, and was really well taken. The ball travelled a long way in the air from Nicky Clee’s throw, and it was great control by Damian Reeves to lay on the chance for Kyle. It’s all about being alive up front, and that applied again for the second. It was on a plate for Reevesie when the ball broke to him, but you have to be in the right place, which he tends to be more often than not.
Highlights from Saturday’s 2-1 draw with Forest Green Rovers:
While it is encouraging to be faring so well against teams up at the top, I’ve got a thirst for points, whoever we are up against.
I’m not that concerned about the opposition as about us doing our best, playing as we can and putting points on the board. That’s the mentality you need and one I hope will remain with the players, week in and week out.
It’s Bristol Rovers on Saturday, but there’s no point going down there just to be able to say we’ve played at a club steeped in Football League history. We go there with the intention of trying to improve our points tally.
We have added to the squad with the signing of Jordan Sinnott, who has been released by Huddersfield Town. We’ve got a small squad, and when you consider the positions Jordan can play, he will bring some adaptability, which is important.
He is comfortable in central midfield or on the right, and that’s just in a 4-4-2. He can fill different roles in other systems as well, and a bi-product of that is that having that extra option can help preserve Simon Richman’s energy, which is so important to us.
We haven’t got mega-bucks to throw around, but he’s with us to the end of the season, and it’s good to have a bit more strength in depth.
He has been here before on loan, so just as we know him, he knows the club and the level of football, albeit it a division higher than two years ago, when he was last here. Given that, and the versatility he brings, his signing ticks the right boxes.
Top picture: Jake Moult takes the ball on his chest (Michael Ripley)
