Janes pleased to see a growing battle for places at Alcester Town

FOOTBALL

ALCESTER Town player-manager Danny Janes warned his players are starting to give him headaches – and that’s good news.

Janes says the increasing competition for places will only be good as Alcester look to push up the Midland League Division Three table.

While he admits it has taken time to gel this season after he took over two weeks before the campaign kicked off, there are signs of progress.

It’s the consistency they need and last weekend’s frustrating home draw with Barton United felt like two points dropped after they conceded an injury-time equaliser.

“I will echo something I have said all season, we had too many average performances again last Saturday. However, there were some very good performances,” he said.

“Players need to be cautious of their place in the side, the lads in and around the starting 11 are giving the management team some very nice headaches.”

Thomas Higgins netted last Saturday and Janes was delighted with his performance.

“I was delighted for Thomas Higgins to get on the score sheet as well, his attitude has been exemplary and I thought he took his chance," said the boss. "He is a popular figure amongst the squad. He is everything that a manager wants in a player in terms of character.

“I thought Ashley Bunn and Keiran Downey played fantastically together, Connor Poole also had a very good game.”

Alcester travel to Enville Athletic on Boxing Day, with the game now having an 11am kick-off.