McMahon: Bring it on
James Carroll, 11th Feb 2010
LiverpoolFC.tv
Liverpool Reserves play host to Wigan Athletic this evening, with coach John McMahon admitting he is relishing the onset of a busy period for the Reds' second-string.
Tonight's encounter at Tranmere Rovers' Prenton Park - which will be screened live on Liverpoolfc.tv - is the first of three games in 13 days for the reserves, who also face Burnely and Sunderland away from home before the conclusion of the month.
McMahon said: "The spirit is good. The players are working hard and it's nice to know we have some games close together coming up now, rather than one every three or four weeks. We can focus, build and progress."
Confidence is high in the Reds camp following cup victories over Ashton Town and Bolton Wanderers over the past fortnight.
And McMahon believes the likes of the Senior Cup and the Lancashire Senior Cup add great value to the campaign.
"The Senior Cup is a good backup to the league competition," he said. "You can get games of different qualities and standards, so it's good for me and the lads to experience those matches in different environments against totally different opposition we wouldn't normally play against.
"They can be more physical and direct, so it's good for us to learn.
"You can see different things in people in these types of games - their spirit and whether they really fancy playing against a team who are direct and more aggressive.
"So it's good for me to look at each individual and see if they have the character and can make the step up."
Tonight's head-to-head with the Latics is the first of three meetings between the two teams to be played over the coming weeks.
The sides will cross swords again in the Lancashire Senior Cup on March 17, before doing battle in the league once more on April 7.
However, while McMahon acknowledges Wigan will provide a stern test of Liverpool Reserves' credentials, he claims the Reds will be making no special preparations.
"We haven't played them yet, but I've seen them four times this season," he said.
"The joint managers of Graham Barrow and Dave Watson have got them organised and competitive, so we know we're in for a tough game.
"Graham is experienced and knows the players and the league, while Dave is a very bright coach with bags and bags of know how.
"They have them well drilled and organised. They do things right, look to play at a good tempo and have a good desire and spirit about them.
"But we'll just go out and work to the same principals we always do - try to get the ball down and play and look for movement and technique on the ball.
"We're always looking for improvement from individuals. Nothing will change from our point of view, we just know they're going to be good games and a good test for us."
The reserves lost top spot in the Barclays Premier Reserve League North last month after the 3-3 draw with Manchester City allowed Manchester United to take pole position, though the Old Trafford club have played a game more.
However, McMahon insists it was a point gained, rather than two lost, against City.
He added: "It was definitely a point gained on reflection. When you are getting so close to the end of the game, you think you're going to be defeated.
"But the lads dug in and showed good character to snatch a point at the end.
"In spells I was happy with some of the play. Obviously, consistency is what we're after throughout 90 minutes and the season, and we're still a bit indifferent in some of our performances, and individual performances."
James Carroll, 11th Feb 2010
LiverpoolFC.tv
Liverpool Reserves play host to Wigan Athletic this evening, with coach John McMahon admitting he is relishing the onset of a busy period for the Reds' second-string.
Tonight's encounter at Tranmere Rovers' Prenton Park - which will be screened live on Liverpoolfc.tv - is the first of three games in 13 days for the reserves, who also face Burnely and Sunderland away from home before the conclusion of the month.
McMahon said: "The spirit is good. The players are working hard and it's nice to know we have some games close together coming up now, rather than one every three or four weeks. We can focus, build and progress."
Confidence is high in the Reds camp following cup victories over Ashton Town and Bolton Wanderers over the past fortnight.
And McMahon believes the likes of the Senior Cup and the Lancashire Senior Cup add great value to the campaign.
"The Senior Cup is a good backup to the league competition," he said. "You can get games of different qualities and standards, so it's good for me and the lads to experience those matches in different environments against totally different opposition we wouldn't normally play against.
"They can be more physical and direct, so it's good for us to learn.
"You can see different things in people in these types of games - their spirit and whether they really fancy playing against a team who are direct and more aggressive.
"So it's good for me to look at each individual and see if they have the character and can make the step up."
Tonight's head-to-head with the Latics is the first of three meetings between the two teams to be played over the coming weeks.
The sides will cross swords again in the Lancashire Senior Cup on March 17, before doing battle in the league once more on April 7.
However, while McMahon acknowledges Wigan will provide a stern test of Liverpool Reserves' credentials, he claims the Reds will be making no special preparations.
"We haven't played them yet, but I've seen them four times this season," he said.
"The joint managers of Graham Barrow and Dave Watson have got them organised and competitive, so we know we're in for a tough game.
"Graham is experienced and knows the players and the league, while Dave is a very bright coach with bags and bags of know how.
"They have them well drilled and organised. They do things right, look to play at a good tempo and have a good desire and spirit about them.
"But we'll just go out and work to the same principals we always do - try to get the ball down and play and look for movement and technique on the ball.
"We're always looking for improvement from individuals. Nothing will change from our point of view, we just know they're going to be good games and a good test for us."
The reserves lost top spot in the Barclays Premier Reserve League North last month after the 3-3 draw with Manchester City allowed Manchester United to take pole position, though the Old Trafford club have played a game more.
However, McMahon insists it was a point gained, rather than two lost, against City.
He added: "It was definitely a point gained on reflection. When you are getting so close to the end of the game, you think you're going to be defeated.
"But the lads dug in and showed good character to snatch a point at the end.
"In spells I was happy with some of the play. Obviously, consistency is what we're after throughout 90 minutes and the season, and we're still a bit indifferent in some of our performances, and individual performances."
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