Cup success key to Debenham LC improving league position, according to manager Guy Hayes
As well as looking for improvement in the league, manager Guy Hayes has revealed Debenham LC will be taking the cups seriously in 2019/20.
Former Team Bury boss Hayes took charge of Debenham in January of this year following Leon Moore’s departure and he oversaw an 11th-placed finish in the Thurlow Nunn League First Division North.
A top-half finish is the target this time around, and Hayes believes that a good cup run or two will help the Hornets to realise that ambition.
“We want to keep on improving and for us to do that we have to be looking at the top half,” he said.
“We will also be taking the cup competitions seriously. When you look at the First Division Knockout Cup and the Suffolk Senior Cup, these are competitions Debenham should be looking to win.
“Going far in cups keeps your season alive so we will not be turning our noses up at anything. When I came in we were out of all the cups and that kills your season a little bit if you are in mid-table.”
The summer has proven to be useful for Hayes, who has been able to bring in a handful of his own players like Sam Last (Diss Town) and Kyle Birchfield (Felixstowe & Walton United), as well as implementing his own playing style.
And while pre-season results count for little, the manager has seen plenty in the performances to give him confidence for the months ahead.
“It is difficult when you come in halfway through a season to make changes in playing style, personnel and the squad morale,” he added.
“The summer has allowed us to rebuild and it has given the players the chance to buy into what we want to do, rather than them trying to do it in league games when the pressure is on to get results.
“We have had some challenging games in pre-season but the boys have risen to those tests.
“We did not want to rip the squad apart and we have not done that.
“The lads look like they are ready to stick together and there is an us versus them mentality.”
Debenham start at home to Downham Town tomorrow (3pm) before travelling to Diss Town on Tuesday (7.45pm).
