CHARLIE HORLOCK INTERVIEW

I spoke to Charlie Horlock our club captain before the Stamford game to get his views on the season so far.

The first thing that Charlie wanted to say was that he felt we had made a positive start to the season with a good start to the league campaign and two FA Cup wins before bowing out to Kettering.

He then addressed the inconsistency the team have been showing whereby we have been very good in one half and disappointing in the other half and not managing to produce a complete 90 minute performance. Charlie was not surprised by this fluctuating situation as at the start of a season there is bound to be some rustiness as everyone tries to find their feet. The players were aware that the inconsistency needed addressing and were confident it would come right. The management felt the team needed to be more relentless and needed to keep their foot on the gas. Charlie said everyone could see the potential in the team.

The Redditch performance disappointed Charlie who considered it two points dropped as he felt we were the better team. He said it made the players more determined to put it right and the next games against Nuneaton, AFC Sudbury, Barwell and Kettering saw three wins and one draw and four clean sheets.

Charlie said it was not ideal to play Kettering again in the FA Cup just after the league game. You show your hand in the first game and the second game was always going to be different. He felt we were at our best at Kettering but the FA Cup game was very disappointing with neither side really deserving to win. He did not feel it was a lack of effort from Hitchin but a lack of quality on the day as we were not at our best.. It took a scrappy goal to decide the game and Kettering were difficult to break down and defended very well. The result was a kick in the teeth for our players and the Herts Senior Cup game against Leverstock Green was again very below par as the hangover from Saturday had its affect as did the draw for the next round of the FA Cup that saw Kettering drawn at Chesterfield which left a feeling of what might have been.. At training on Thursday there was an analysis session and it was shown that we lacked intensity and were outrun by Leverstock Green. There was a great determination to put things right in future games.

Charlie feels we have one of the strongest squads in his time at Hitchin. But he said this strength can also be a liability as good players are left out of the team. As captain Charlie spoke to the players to not get too disappointed if they are not selected and told them to be patient and their chance will come. Healthy competition is a good thing as you need to play well to keep your place and it is also important players not in the starting line up do not disrupt the team on the day but discuss their position with the manager at a later date.

Charlie says the team spirit is very good and the players are comfortable around each other and get on really well. There are well attended social gatherings which creates a strong bond.

The Hitchin supporters were praised by Charlie for turning up in such good numbers and creating a really good atmosphere. He felt this support really helps as it does adversely affect the opponents.

The four unbeaten games were the standard Charlie expected and he feels we need to build on this momentum. He again mentioned the word relentless and feels we must be relentless in our displays. He says the players have set clear targets for each competition we play in and complements the management team who he says each have their own separate roles and provide good clarity for the players.

BY ROY IZZARD