Band is aiming high

Mossley joint managers Lloyd Morrison (left) and Peter Band: big plans for next season

FOOTBALL:

MOSSLEY joint-manager Peter Band is setting his sights high for next season in the Evo-Stik League Division One North.

The Lilywhites experienced more troughs than peaks last season, and eventually finished 15th after Band and fellow joint-boss Lloyd Morrison were drafted in to replace Ashton United-bound Steve Halford.

Band and Morrison are determined to make full use of a busy pre-season, with training due to resume at the end of next month.

Band said: “We’ve probably got 60 per cent of the squad at the moment. I’m hoping to get four or five new faces in.

“We’re just after a bit more experience in certain departments, and we need to get in there early, then we’ll be aiming for the top six or eight next season.

“We just have to stay together, be strong on and off the pitch. Preparation really is a key factor.”

One feature of Mossley’s game which will need particular attention going forward is discipline.

The Lilywhites received EIGHT red cards last season, including three in one game at Clitheroe.

Band intends to take action: “Discipline has cost us. We’re going to have a meeting about it before pre-season training. People have to know that if they’re going to get booked, their wages will be docked.”

Inconsistency is clearly also a concern, and Band and Morrison are determined to improve things.

“We’d win one or two, then go and lose two or three. It’s got to get better, and I’m confident it will and we’ll have a much better season next tme around.”