Sinnott Speaks: Two games and two narrow defeats, but there’s no need to panic

Altrincham FC manager Lee Sinnott gives us the inside track on the Robins’ progress this season in the Vanarama National League. Here’s his latest column for Altrincham Today.

Well the new season has now begun and since I last wrote this column we’ve played two games against two very good sides and despite proving more than a match for our opponents, we’ve unfortunately come out on the wrong end of two successive 1-0 defeats.

I’ll start by talking about our first game back at the J Davidson stadium last Saturday against Forest Green Rovers. I felt like we had the better of the first half and should have gone in at half-time ahead. The second half saw the Gloucestershire side take the initiative and unlike us they made their pressure count with the only goal.

On Tuesday night we headed to Guiseley. Once again I felt the game was a tale of two halves – we underperformed in the first half, they took advantage and went in at the break ahead. We fought back into the match second half but just couldn’t turn our possession into goals. We also lost Gianluca Havern with a hamstring injury, which is a blow but I’m very confident in Scott Leather and Tom Marshall’s ability to cover his absence in defence.

Watch highlights from the defeat at Guiseley:

I’ve said before that I’m a firm believer in the season not seriously getting underway until six to eight games into the campaign. It’s important for everyone not to panic, remember we were in the same situation last year, only this time we’ve gone down by the one goal in both games.

On Saturday we head down south to take on Woking. They won their first home game on Tuesday against Bromley and will be full of confidence. I thought they were one of the best teams we played last season and it will be a difficult trip but we’ll go down as always with the intent to play our football and try to win the game for our travelling fans.

Then next Tuesday we welcome Grimsby Town to the J Davidson Stadium. We had two very tight drawn games with them last season and no match against Paul Hurst’s side is easy. I’m sure come Saturday night the players will be looking forward to it. It’s one of those games with a little bit of added spice considering their aspirations for the season and the quality additions they have made.

Finally I’d like to thank the fans for their support in the opening two games! The home atmosphere against Forest Green Rovers was fantastic and we’re sorry not to have rewarded you with a positive result. Grimsby will be sure to bring a good following Tuesday night and we’ll need you at your loudest again to give the players that extra boost on the pitch.

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