Going into the 2020-2021 season UEL’s Football 1st team has big expectations to live up to as the previous season saw them go undefeated and finish top of the BUCS League.
Having to come back after a season in which their competition proved to not be as good as them might leave UEL feeling a little complacent, but first team coach Ryan Gordon believes the players have what it takes, “Going unbeaten is a team effort, I changed the way we play a bit to the previous year based on the personnel.”
Gordon’s Thoughts
Gordon understands what is required in order for them to be as competitive as the previous season, knowing adjustment will be necessary in order to maintain and carry on with their fantastic form of last season:
“I am always looking for ways to improve you can’t just instil a winning mentality like turning on a tap. there are other ingredients to that success. This is a formula that I have been working on for over 20 years.”
A winning formula seems to be in place, but their coach is not willing to leave anything to chance.
“Pleased With Recruitment”
After having a magnificent season last year in the BUCS League South which saw them labelled the ‘team to beat’ – going undefeated the whole season and finishing in first place Gordon accredits this success to great pre-season preparation, where they were able to find talent to replace stars such as Saidou Khan and Ibby Akanbi who moved onto National League South side Maidstone United:
“I was very pleased with the recruitment process in the off-season break…losing seven top players is difficult for any manager no matter how good you think you are.”
The style of play which the team adopts is a free-flowing style which sees them dominate possession.
This was evident when speaking to manager Gordon he stated, “I have a vision supported by a strategy and that is to win playing through the thirds of the pitch.”
Promotion
Last season they had a stunning statistic which saw the team have over 89% possession in games as well as having an impressive record of scoring four goals a game at home.
The target this season is to get promoted into the BUCS Premier League and with the culture Ryan Gordon has implemented the boys will be aiming to emulate and go one step further this year.
You can be sure that Ryan Gordons type of football will excite this season!
