Published: 04/10/2010 08:00
KEVIN Wilkin says Nuneaton Town are still not play-off contenders — despite their 1-0 win at Workington on Saturday.
Kyle Storer’s second half penalty sent Boro up to sixth in Blue Square Bet North.
With further wins against the likes of Boston United and Guiseley under their belt, Nuneaton are on the edge of the leading pack at the nine-game mark.
However, Wilkin says a side which had four players under the age of 22 in the starting line-up in Cumbria still has plenty to learn.
He said: “I don’t think we are play-off contenders, not yet. We’ve got some work to do to be genuine contenders.
“We are starting to understand the importance of clean sheets. We’ve proved we can play against any team in the league but consistency is what we need to find.
“Conceding goals is an area we need to improve on. We are a very young side and making bold predictions isn’t what I’m about.
“I’m only too mindful that you get one good result and it can all change within a week with a bad one.
“We’ll enjoy this and look to build a run. It’s not lost on me that we are learning. There is a long way to go.” Despite his reservations at the team’s long-term prospects, Wilkin was nonetheless delighted to return from Workington with three points.
“It’s a great result to come all this way and win. We set our stall out, we knew the game plan and it paid off.
“It’s a learning curve and you are always looking for clean sheets. You won’t come to places like this and get three or four goals.
“They didn’t have a single opportunity and we had the lion’s share of the chances. It was a solid performance,” he said.
Storer might have stuck the penalty away, but it was well won by Justin Marsden, who bounced back from being dropped to have a strong all round game.
“It was excellent by Justin for the penalty. He was cute and he showed great feet to trick the defender.
“He asks questions. We had plenty of pace in attack with Justin in that pocket behind the strikers.
“Lee Moore and Donovan Simmonds up front did well and with Eddie Nisevic and James Armson on the flanks we had enough speed to hurt them,” he said.
Wilkin also had words of praise for Guy Hadland. He returned to a back three with great effect alongside Stuart Pierpoint and Gareth Dean.
“Guy was strong at the back. He brought a presence and probably rubbed off on the other two, so fair play to the three of them,” he said.
Right-back Rob Oddy returned to the bench after overcoming a back injury. Versatile midfielder Matty Collins missed out with a knee injury, but he should be fit for the FA Cup third qualifying round tie at home to Coleshill Town on Saturday.
Kyle Storer’s second half penalty sent Boro up to sixth in Blue Square Bet North.
With further wins against the likes of Boston United and Guiseley under their belt, Nuneaton are on the edge of the leading pack at the nine-game mark.
However, Wilkin says a side which had four players under the age of 22 in the starting line-up in Cumbria still has plenty to learn.
He said: “I don’t think we are play-off contenders, not yet. We’ve got some work to do to be genuine contenders.
“We are starting to understand the importance of clean sheets. We’ve proved we can play against any team in the league but consistency is what we need to find.
“Conceding goals is an area we need to improve on. We are a very young side and making bold predictions isn’t what I’m about.
“I’m only too mindful that you get one good result and it can all change within a week with a bad one.
“We’ll enjoy this and look to build a run. It’s not lost on me that we are learning. There is a long way to go.” Despite his reservations at the team’s long-term prospects, Wilkin was nonetheless delighted to return from Workington with three points.
“It’s a great result to come all this way and win. We set our stall out, we knew the game plan and it paid off.
“It’s a learning curve and you are always looking for clean sheets. You won’t come to places like this and get three or four goals.
“They didn’t have a single opportunity and we had the lion’s share of the chances. It was a solid performance,” he said.
Storer might have stuck the penalty away, but it was well won by Justin Marsden, who bounced back from being dropped to have a strong all round game.
“It was excellent by Justin for the penalty. He was cute and he showed great feet to trick the defender.
“He asks questions. We had plenty of pace in attack with Justin in that pocket behind the strikers.
“Lee Moore and Donovan Simmonds up front did well and with Eddie Nisevic and James Armson on the flanks we had enough speed to hurt them,” he said.
Wilkin also had words of praise for Guy Hadland. He returned to a back three with great effect alongside Stuart Pierpoint and Gareth Dean.
“Guy was strong at the back. He brought a presence and probably rubbed off on the other two, so fair play to the three of them,” he said.
Right-back Rob Oddy returned to the bench after overcoming a back injury. Versatile midfielder Matty Collins missed out with a knee injury, but he should be fit for the FA Cup third qualifying round tie at home to Coleshill Town on Saturday.
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