​Adamson: No targets, just pure football

By Chris Randall
Photo by Stuart Tree

It was a day to remember on Saturday, and for more reasons than many initially thought. Casuals hosted an organised Wingate & Finchley side on Brian Adamson’s return to the dugout as interim manager. Yet, against all odds, the team in pink and chocolate produced what could prove to be the standout result of the season, capitalising on a late, 90th minute free-kick which was knocked home by Malakai Hyman for three points.

“The change gave them a lift,” said Adamson of his players’ attitude over the course of the week.

The positive result certainly boosted morale amongst the squad, with the team celebrating with the fans after the match and as they made their way down the tunnel. Adamson went on to explain how the team have changed their approach for the final seven games of the season, citing a genuine change in attitude which left the team “always up for it”.

Adamson was keen not to jump the gun, pointing to the “very, very difficult conditions in [the] first half with that wind; and then it looked like we had more of the possession, more of the ball in their half, but that was because the wind was not allowing them to get out.”

When asked about several new faces that appeared in the team this weekend, Adamson said that it was difficult to tell what “difference” the players had made to the team so early on, but remained hopeful of the influence they could have in the dressing room and on the pitch. Ever aware of the popularity of the returning Jordan Clarke, the interim boss made it clear that he knew “he wasn’t going to be match fit, but I knew that he could offer us something.”

One of the main focuses of the club this season has been connecting the youth section and the first team, which the interim manager was quick to do, promoting both Will McDonald and Finlay Stubbs to the squad, which will run alongside their Under-18s duties.

Although the emphatic 1-0 win left the fans with plenty to cheer on Non-League Day, Adamson remained stern around the idea of setting no targets for the final six games of the 2022/23 season, choosing instead to spur on the players with the weightless words: “Go out there, enjoy yourselves and play your football”.

Although the relegation battle continues under Brian Adamson, he insisted he has “wiped the slate clean” in a bid to rejuvenate the squad since stepping back into the role, adding that there was no talk of, “How many points we can get.”

Helped by an extra three points from Saturday’s outing, Casuals remain in 21st place, but are still within reach of Kingstonian’s total of 33. The new manager, a new-look squad and a new month will all come together for the team’s next fixture on Saturday, as we travel away to 13th-placed Potters Bar Town, who currently boast three wins from their last five league fixtures. Adamson will be hoping his team go into this game galvanised by last weekend's triumph.