‘The squad has belief …’ Dav Symington interview

Following four goals in half as many friendlies, Dave Symington says the ‘buzz’ around the club has given the squad belief of promotion 2019-20.

Speaking after the 0-1 win against Carlisle City last night, the match-winner was in good spirits looking towards the start of the new campaign at Borough Park.

This year’s there’s just a buzz around us. I think we’re getting into that mentality where we can start to believe that we’re gonna go up.

On the match at GillfoTrd Park, the midfielder said:

I’m just really pleased with how the lads played. We’re trying to take on board what the manager wants so that was the pleasing thing.

We’re getting the ball down and trying to play this season so, hopefully, everyone can see that.

Other than the tidy passages of play from both City and Reds, it was often a physical battle at the D Marks Stadium; something Symington knows is required as preparation for the new term.

You need that in pre-season, you need to get ready for the upcoming season because there’s gonna be big brutes in this league who just wanna clatter you.

Some of the lads need that instead of being little babies, so it’ll sort them out.

… the in-form man joked

Discussing the pre-season work, Symington stressed that things are coming along well, saying:

The boys are getting fit but, it has been hard – I won’t lie.

That’s just part and parcel of playing football. You need a hard pre-season. You don’t want to come up short at the beginning of the year lagging behind every other team.

We wanna be up there and, hopefully, we’re gonna go back up this year, at least that’s what we’re aiming for.

The Reds next face Barrow on Saturday in a friendly at Holker Street.