Cox still learning about new-look Poppies squad

Kettering Town’s busy pre-season programme continues at Redditch United this weekend.

And boss Paul Cox insists he is continuing to learn more and more about his new-look squad as they gear up for the start of the new campaign on October 3.

The Poppies drew 0-0 with National League side Solihull Moors at Latimer Park last weekend before slipping to a 2-1 defeat at Stourbridge on Tuesday night.

Tomorrow’s (Saturday) clash at Redditch is followed by another home game with National League South outfit Hemel Hempstead Town next Wednesday evening.

And, despite the result at Stourbridge, Cox remains happy with the way pre-season is progressing.

“I thought both games were excellent run-outs for us and the whole point of this is that we are trying to learn about the players and that’s why we have had such a hard and vigorous pre-season,” the Poppies manager said as he looked back on the last week.

“It would have been easy to put us in against Step 6 and 7 sides and come away with victories.

“Instead, what we have tried to do is put the boys under as much stress as possible and give everyone a decent amount of minutes.

“I thought we were excellent for 60 to 65 minutes against Solihull and then they changed their 11 at half-time and we tired a little bit but overall I thought our shape was good and we created chances.

“And then we had a look at an out-and-out different back four on Tuesday night.

“People turn their nose up about teams in the level below us but Stourbridge had some experienced people in their line-up and we put two young centre-halves in there and changed the full-backs as well.

“It wasn’t what I would call the best result and I don’t think the performance in the first half was where we have set our standards but I thought we came alive in the second half.

“But it’s pre-season. I want to see us where we are under stress and I want to see what we are like when things aren’t going our way.

“These games have all been put together for me to learn and it’s a work in progress for the next few weeks.

“There will be additions and there will be people who ultimately move on but that’s the way we are evolving at the moment and I won’t stop until I know we are going to be very very competitive.”

The Poppies, meanwhile, now know they will head to Gloucester City in the first game of the new National League North season on Tuesday, October 6.

And that kicks-off what looks like a tricky first month for Kettering as they also face trips to AFC Fylde and York City while they will play Southport and Guiseley at Latimer Park.

But Cox is staying relaxed and said: “I had quite a few people ringing me telling me how tough of a start we have got.

“We have to play every team anyway and all we can do is go and approach games in the right frame of mind.

“I like my teams not to be looking around at what others are doing but concentrating on what we can do.

“I think it’s going to be a tough league but I am excited. We know there is more to do and I do believe we need to strengthen in some areas. But when it comes around, we will approach it with a positive attitude.”