Diss Town manager happy with new-look squad's progression during pre-season
The friendly results may not have been overly positive, but manager Jon Abbott is pleased with the progress his new-look Diss Town side have made so far in pre-season.
The Tangerines – with nine summer signings on board – have been beaten by higher-league Wroxham and Thetford Town, while against Hadley & Ottaway Anglian Combination Division One side Easton they threw away a three-goal half-time advantage to lose 4-3.
However, Abbott has been encouraged by what he has seen in terms of performances, with the new additions already showing signs of what they will bring to the club.
“I am happy as you can be at this stage of pre-season,” he said. “It is that old adage that results do not matter too much during pre-season.
“It is more showing signs that you are moving in the direction you want to go in and we have been doing that.
“Obviously the results have been disappointing and we do not want to lose any game, but there is no magic wand.
“When you bring in a number of players it is going to take time to find the way we want to play – that is what pre-season is for.
“We played well for 75 per cent of the game against Thetford and we were excellent in the first half against Easton, but changed virtually the whole team of the second half.
“The new boys are doing really well. We knew what we were getting from most of them when we signed and they have not disappointed.”
Diss’ pre-season campaign will continue this evening away at Attleborough (6.45pm), and Abbott is planning on putting out a strong side.
“We have experimented and had a look at some players in a couple of other games, but against Thetford the lads got 60 or 70 minutes in their legs and it will be the same against Attleborough,” he added.
“There will not be as much chopping and changing because we want to make sure we are ready for the start of the season.”
Diss will begin their fifth consecutive campaign at Step 6 in the Thurlow Nunn League First Division North with a trip to Wisbech St Mary on Saturday, August 3.
When the Express went to print only August’s league fixtures had been released, with Diss set to be at home on Tuesday 6 when Debenham LC will be the visitors to Brewers Green Lane.
Diss will be at home again on August 17 against Haverhill Borough, followed by another home fixture – this time against Framlingham Town – on August 20.
The month rounds off from a league perspective with a trip to Great Yarmouth Town on August 28.
Meanwhile, in the Buildbase FA Vase, Abbott’s side will play host to United Counties League Division One outfit Huntingdon Town in the first round qualifying on August 31.
If the 1994 winners can come through that encounter, they will take on league rivals Mulbarton Wanderers at home in the next round on September 14.
