Dressing Room Unity Delights Danny
Danny Lennon spoke to the official website to give an extended update to supporters, during a weekend with no first team action due to the wintry weather.
Despite the cold conditions across the country in the last week, the Clyde manager was pleased to report that the training schedule had only been minorly impacted and an extra session took place at Broadwood yesterday afternoon following the postponement of the Stirling Albion match.
“We’ve trained well this week and we also had a bounce game,” he said. “I know a lot of clubs found it difficult to get facilities on Thursday night but we managed to get in over an hour at Broadwood before the temperature really dropped, so that was positive.
“The bounce match was good for giving some of the squad some extra game time again. We also brought in some young lads from the Community School of Football team and they did very well. We have a good connection with that team and there are a few good prospects who we are trying to give a bit of experience to. It was a good exercise overall.”
The January transfer window ended on Thursday, with no changes to The Bully Wee’s squad during the month. Danny revealed that additions were considered but that he was pleased with the squad as it now stands:-
“We’re a tight group in terms of numbers, but I’m delighted with that. The squad has really matured and come together and it would have taken something special to enhance that.
“We have a group of guys, from 1 to 19, whose attitude and football has been absolutely brilliant and that includes at training and in bounce matches. The guys that aren’t in the team are champing at the bit and ready to take their opportunity when it comes.
“For example in defence, Dylan Cogill did absolutely nothing wrong, but Tom came in during the Peterhead game and did very well and he’s carried that on. He’s taken his opportunity.
“I’ve got to mention Kieran Duffie, who has been outstanding. He hasn’t played a lot of first team football so far this season but he’s been a big part of the group and in the way he leads by example. He’s not the only one, but I’m highlighting him as he’s had less minutes than others.
“You don’t achieve things with just what happens on a Saturday afternoon, it’s a collective effort at all times. In my experience, this is probably the best dressing room I’ve worked with.”
One player that has now officially left the club is Karim Belmokhtar, whose registration has been cancelled after he failed to report for duty in recent weeks.
“It’s disappointing that it has ended this way,” Danny said. “We spent a lot of time with him and took great care in trying to make him part of our family. It’s a shame that he won’t be part of our journey, but we move on.”
Looking back at the club’s last outing, a 1-0 win over Cowdenbeath, Danny praised the overall team performance, including the introduction of Kristoffer Syvertsen who led the line in his first start since early December:-
“I was pleased for him and it was a real positive that we got him through the full 90 minutes. Kris will cash in on the experience he is getting each time he plays. I thought he was unfortunate not to get a goal but you can see that he can be a creative player for us as well, making things happen in and around the box.
“I’ve got to give a lot of credit to the subs that came on. Kevin broke things up for us, Ross always looks a threat with his pace and Ally is having a very good impact on any game.”
The match saw Clyde record another clean sheet, with only one goal conceded in the last 540 minutes of football. Danny continued:-
“Blair’s concentration has been great and he’s done very well, but our defensive record is a big pat on the back for everyone in the team; how we press the ball from the front and everyone doing their jobs both in and out of possession.”
In terms of injuries, Danny gave an update, starting with David Goodwillie’s recovery from an arm fracture:-
“David is making a fantastic recovery so far. He is due to see the specialist again next week and we will take each week as it comes. David – the character he is – will put himself up for availability as soon as possible. The most important thing is that we don’t rush it, get it right and we make sure that we have David at his best from when he returns through to the end of the season.
“Ross Lyon has a small niggle which we will monitor. Martin McNiff is getting very close to a full return and he has had a couple of bounce games now and looked very good.”
To conclude, Danny looked ahead to an exciting end to the Ladbrokes League 2 campaign and highlighted the crucial role that supporters can continue to play in the promotion race:-
“We’re looking for another great run-in, like last season. You can’t take away from what Edinburgh and Peterhead have done, but we are breathing down their neck.
“There’s a real feel-good factor at the moment and a good bond between the players and fans. Nothing gives me more satisfaction, particularly at home, when you see a winning goal go in and the whole team, bench and the fans join in on those moments together. They are special moments.
“The journey won’t always be as smooth as it is at the moment and we have to be prepared for that together. We need to know how to handle that and that’s something I believe that the squad have learnt fantastically well, along with the supporters. I’d always heard that the Clyde fans could be very passionate but there’s nothing wrong with that, because they know the club’s history and how proud players should be to wear the jersey.
“I think the supporters now recognise that the team give their utmost and they are probably more forgiving now in letting the players go through the harder moments. They’ve played a massive part. In the moments of games when you hear them most – and I know it’s an old cliché – I still don’t think they realise how important that is for the group. It really drives them on.
“We talk about having a rhythm in the team’s performance but the timing from the crowd is also important and it’s been fantastic of late.”