Caretaker boss looks ahead to Rugby Town trip this weekend

ROYSTON TOWN caretaker manager Duncan Easley is looking forward to a tough test this weekend as his team travel to the midlands to face Rugby Town.

The Crows are on a fine run of form with six wins from their last six fixtures in the league, a run that saw them go top of the league after Saturday’s dramatic 3-2 win over Beaconsfield at Garden Walk.

Easley, who will oversee his 11th game in charge at Rugby since manager Paul Attfield took time off due to illness at the beginning of October, says his team are full of confidence and are intent on keeping their winning run going.

“We’re unbeaten in the league since me and Martin [Paine] took charge, and although on paper we’ve had a relatively easier run of games you’ve still got to go out there and win them and we’ve done that,” Easley told the Royston Crow. “We played really well on Saturday in the second half and hopefully we can take that into the weekend. It will be tough, though, as it’s one of the longest away trips of the season.

“Even though they have been better away from home this season, Rugby were one of the teams tipped for promotion back in the summer so we won’t be taking them lightly.

“I’m starting to get players back now so the squad is looking good and we’re confident.”

Easley also said he has been pleased with how the players have reacted since Attfield left the fold, but insists not a lot has changed in terms of the usual routine that served them so well beforehand.

“I’ve been with Paul for five years so I know what he expects from his players,” Easley added.

“We both sing from the same hymn sheet in that respect so that has made it easier for the players as nothing much has really changed for them.”

Club chairman Steve Jackson says Attfield is likely to resume his position in January, although there is a chance he could come back in December depending on what the manager wants to do.

Jackson says he is delighted at the team’s current form and position in the league – and insists he was never concerned Attfield’s absence might cause problems on the playing front.

“We operate a three-man management team anyway so the loss of any one person wouldn’t alter the dynamic of the group. We are a small club so there are always going to be occasions when players or staff aren’t available,” Jackson told the Crow.

“Paul has always considered Duncan to be his equal and always knew that things would carry on very much the same as they were.

“The team lost one and drew three of their first four matches in charge but that could have been down to any reason, but things have been going very well in the league. The squad is settled and the spirits are high.

“Nobody is getting carried away, though. We have a three-year plan to get into the Premier Division so there is no pressure on us this year.”