Catch Up with Ciaren: 2025-26 Part III
Club captain Ciaren Jones has agreed to do regular interviews this season. The first was in August and the second was in October, so it was time for the third instalment and I caught up with Ciaren this week.
In his first interview he mentioned the number of new players we had signed which he felt was positive for the club. He mentioned the extra experience we now had but he warned supporters it would take time for the players to get to know each others games and asked for patience saying the title was not won in August. Recent results have vindicated Ciaren’s comments as players are now gelling so much better than earlier in the season.
In his second interview he said our priority was to gain promotion and anything else would be failure. He stressed our mentality was good and the squad depth was proving important. So on to the third interview which took place before the Rayners Lane game. Ciaren felt that after the Baldock game on 7 August we should have won every game. We had not lost any game where we scored first and when we make a fast start to a game we are usually successful. Ciaren feels we have better quality than any other team in the league but that alone is not enough. We need to work hard and battle for the ball. It is not easy to switch it on all the time but we need to meet high standards. It is also important we guard against any complacency and the management really reflect this message.
Ciaren praised our management team for their attention to detail. Each Thursday the video of the previous game is analysed and the players are told what worked well and are also told how things could be improved. Ciaren says this has proved very helpful. After the Northwood game when we struggled to break down their low block work has been done on how to break teams down. Players now make unselfish runs and there is far more movement than before. This has benefitted the strikers and Taylor Rhiney is now looking much more dangerous than before. Another change has been to play Kye Tearle and Lewis Franklin in more advanced roles and they have responded with plenty of goals. Each player receives their own video of the game and Ciaren always watches his own performance back to see where he can improve.
The management have also done a lot of work on set pieces and that applies to both defending them and looking to score from them. Ciaren says we are now defending long throws in a different way as we are corners while there is more variety in our own corners.
We now have the best defensive record in the league and Ciaren says this is because we now have a very experienced backline whose ages range from mid 20s to mid 30s. When Blue Joy was playing he had those experienced players around him to help his development.
Our bench is now much stronger and it is frustrating for the players on the bench but they are working hard to get in the team and there is no dissent in the ranks and the team spirit is really good. The players have bonding nights and they are a tight-knit group.
We continue to set monthly points totals and Ciaren says we are currently ahead of schedule. Consistency will be the key and the players are just focused on the next game and are not looking too far ahead, with our feet firmly on the ground. We will not win every game although that is the aim.
Finally Ciaren again thanked our great supporters. The players love playing in front of big crowds and they enjoy hearing the youngsters with their drum. Ciaren is particularly happy that our home form has improved as this rewards our supporters. The large away support is also a great boost for the team.
Ciaren and all the players wish our supporters a very merry Christmas.
As ever many thanks to Ciaren for his analysis of the season so far. His insight provides supporters with greater understanding of what is happening on the pitch and in the dressing room.
Roy Izzard