Published: Thursday, 10th July, 2008 11:00
Baker buzzing about new campaign
By Charles Watts
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Robins skipper Neil Baker says their is a refreshing air of change at the club.
BRACKNELL Town skipper Neil Baker admits he is 'buzzing’ about what lies ahead for the Robins this season.
The last few Southern League campaigns have seen the Larges Lane club permanently locked in a relegation battle but Baker believes all the signs suggest this year could be different.
New faces have already begun to arrive at the club as the revolution under Byron Walton continues and the quality of the new boys has left a lasting impression on the centre-back.
He said: “We’ve had three training sessions now and the quality has been very, very good.
“There are a lot of lads who I haven’t seen before and only a few from last season. The sessions have been really good and I’ve got to admit I’m already buzzing about the new season.
“The competition for places here now looks good and I know Byron (Walton) is still looking to get some more players in.
“Our defence looks pretty solid and it looks like we’re going to be really strong in midfield. From what I’ve seen the lads that we’ve got in the middle of the park are superb and will really move us on.”
Baker added: “We’ve got a fitness coach here who has worked with the club for a number of seasons and he says this is the best group of players he’s ever dealt with.
“Things are looking promising but we can’t get carried away. We need to keep working hard and make sure we get off to a positive start in August.”
Walton’s arrival midway through last season eventually saw a turnaround in fortunes for the Robins who had looked certainties for relegation at the turn of the year.
Fighting against the drop has been a regular occurrence at Larges Lane but Baker believes a change of mindset at the club has seen it start to move in the right direction.
He said: “It’s a very interesting time to be at the club. I can’t see this season being anything like the last one I must say.
“There’s a massive difference just being around the place now. We’ve got new training kits, we’re using new balls – it seems as if things are being done correctly this season.
“I don’t think that’s been the case in recent years and that not being derogatory about previous managers. There’s just a different feeling around the place.
“It might be that we needed someone new who hadn’t been at the club before. Byron has come in, said 'this is how I want things’, and that’s how it’s being done. It’s really good to see.”
He added: “If we can finish in the top half of the table this season and have a good couple of cup runs it would be a massive improvement for us.
“It will be difficult but if you don’t start the season believing you can do well then there’s no point in starting at all.”
Meanwhile Walton added to his squad again this week with the addition of tough tackling central midfielder Keith Newby.
The 27-year-old arrives from Hemel Hempstead where he used to play under Walton. He was also a part of the Yeading squad who lost 2-0 to Newcastle United in the 2005 FA Cup.
Walton is delighted with his newest recruit and thinks he will form a formidable midfield partnership alongside fellow new boys Billy Sentence and Rory Jenkins.
He said: “Keith is committed, tough tackling and loves to win, he’s already been kicking people in training.
“He’s been out injured for the last 18 months but he’s fully fit now and will get stronger and stronger as the season goes on.
“It’s a big addition to the squad as he’s an out-and-out winner. I expect our midfield this season to be as good as any team in the league.”
Walton is also hopeful of wrapping up a deal which will see a new striker arrive at Larges Lane by the end of the week.
He added: “He’s currently training at AFC Wimbledon but is only on the fringes of things, so he’s coming down tonight (Thursday) and hopefully I can get something sorted with him.
“Dean Thomas has already agreed to come back and he’s been looking very sharp in training so I’m happy with where we are in terms of strikers.”
Walton will get his first chance to run the rule over some of his squad when Bracknell play their first pre-season friendly on Tuesday at Molesey.
The Robins boss will use the match to watch some of his fringe players as he continues to whittle down the numbers he currently has training at the club.
He had 25 at training on Tuesday night but wants to see that number reduced to about 18 by the start of the season in August.
One man who will not be there is midfielder Jon Swift who has decided not return because he could not be guaranteed a first team place.
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