Morrell gives Tamworth squad ‘mini pre-season’ after two weeks without a game

By Matt Bishop
Tamworth manager Andy Morrell has said his players have had a ‘mini-pre season’ after spending nearly two weeks without a game.
After their disappointing early exit in the FA Cup at Stafford, The Lambs didn’t play last Saturday – meaning it is nearly two weeks since they last played in the league, during a 2-1 defeat at home to Gainsborough Trinity.
Morrell’s play-off chasers are on home soil again this weekend when they host Alfreton, and the former Wrexham striker has revealed his players have been put through their paces in order to keep them fresh.
Speaking to the Birmingham Mail, the Lambs boss said: “We have given the lads some really tough workouts. We need to keep on top of things, make sure the lads are match ready and fit.
“So we have smashed them in training a bit to be fair. We have had lots of five-a-side games, plenty of running, tough drills.
“It’s been more like another mini pre-season to be honest. We have kept the lads going so that we can kick on again.”
Alfreton travel to Tamworth on Saturday amidst who a a run of poor form that has seen them lose three in a row, but Morrell’s men have also hit the buffers and he is not taking the Reds for granted.
“They [Alfreton] have got threats all over the pitch.” said Morrell.
“They have people who can score goals and the new manager, John McDermott, is finding his feet with them. So it’s a tough game but we need to go out and start on the front foot.
“I felt we did that in our last game but, after a great start, we didn’t deal with the changes Trinity made at half-time.
“That’s something we have to learn to deal with. For me, I think we are actually playing some of the best football we have played since I came in.
“It has been exciting to watch at times and we don’t want to go away from that. I want us to play as much as we can, play with pace and at tempo.
“But we also need to learn to batten the hatches at times and make sure we see games out.”