IT HAS been a positive start to the season by Solihull Moors as they mix it up with the best non-league football has to offer in the National League.
In his first column for the Observer, new skipper Ryan Beswick gives his views on the season so far.
“We can compete at this level it’s just knowing we can do it for the first time in this league. It’s the unknown for us because we don’t know what’s coming compared to last year.
“It’s been good coming up against different teams and I think as a group we can start looking at weaknesses, get rid of any early season nerves, settle down and from a fans point of view we want to aim high.
“We had nine players in and ten going out last season so there has been a lot of change but the guys who have come in have adapted really well.
“The gaffer has created that sorted of environment here so it’s easy for new players to come and settle straight away. We’ve got a great bunch of lads who have done brilliantly so far and long may that continue.”
Tuesday’s defeat
“It was a hard one to take because we had played so well for long periods and in the first half we had the better of the chances.
“We looked like the only team that was going to score but it that’s football. We were disappointed but it showed just how far we have come that we can play like that against a team like Wrexham.
“They’ve got a wonderful stadium and setup there but we know that it’s 11 against 11 and we can put up a good fight against any team at this level as long as we stand our ground.
“It was brilliant to play in front of over 4,000 people on a Tuesday night. That’s some going for a club in our league and it shows what sort of stature Wrexham are.
“You don’t really notice the crowd when you’re playing especially when you’re doing a job on them.
“We know that we’re doing a good job if the home fans an quiet and I think we all managed the occasion really well. We silenced them at times but in the end they got the upper hand but we made it very hard for them and did well.
“We could have even snatched a point there at the end but we lost our concentration and got punished.”
Captaincy
“It was a great honour for me to be given the captain’s armband. It meant a lot to me but the circumstance who bad with the horrific injury to Theo Streete.
“Hopefully he comes back and takes the armband off me again because he’s a fantastic player and leader for us.
“I’ve played here for a few years now so I know how good of a manager Marcus Bignot is. He should be managing at a higher level in my opinion because of the way he sets his teams up and the skill he has.
Saturday
“We have a points target in mind that we don’t speak about but we are all aware of what we want.
“We want to get back to winning ways this Saturday against Guiseley but we know we have another tough job on our hands.
“They haven’t started the season well but we know how good of a team they are. It’s a good opportunity with us being back at home but we won’t take for granted our opposition.
“They came up into this league and stayed here so we know they will be a tough opposition for anyone.”
