The first competitive game of the season for Vill Powell’s men is just around the corner when we take on Runcorn Town in the FA Cup. Seven pre season friendlies played and the players are looking fitter than ever heading into the game, something which midfielder Josh Grant feels is key heading into the season.
“The lads are looking sharp and I’m feeling quite fit myself. I’ve had a good amount of game time in the friendlies so I’m ready for the competitive games now to start as it’s been a while. The MP Fit sessions have benefited the lads big time, I only managed to get to a couple due to work commitments but I can see the difference it’s had on the squad. The squad atmosphere is good, there’s a lot of healthy competition around the dressing room which keeps every player on their toes. Saturday will be a good test because Runcorn will be decent so it will see where we are at as a squad.”
In the last three seasons, the club have exited the FA Cup at the Preliminary stage and that’s something Granty wants to change this weekend.
” We can’t do it again, we need a good cup run. My aim is to try get us into the first round proper or at least until we start seeing the conference teams as I believe we should be competing with teams in and around our leagues.”
“My personal targets in terms of this season is to start as many games as I possibly can. I’m hoping for another injury free season and to be a consistent performer on the pitch. We have quite a few players who have played at this level a long time and have a lot of games under their belt so there’s about 7 or 8 of us who need to set standards this year and not let them drop if we are going to compete.”
Saturday’s trip to Runcorn Town is the first time we have played there in the FA Cup since the 4-1 defeat to the side in the same round in 2011. Granty states that we have to take our pre season form into this game for a chance of success this weekend.
” It’s massive that we take the form from pre-season into this game but we also have to remember that pre-season is done. The lads will be and should be confident heading into this game but we have to forget pre-season and concentrate on trying to be successful in the league, FA Cup and FA Trophy. We have to go to Runcorn Town and be competitive. They’re going to be aggressive, it’s something you expect from a typical scouse side but it’s something I enjoy playing against so it’s down to me to ensure the new lads are ready and prepared for what they are going to be up against as we haven’t faced a side like Runcorn in pre-season.”
