Lairds coach targets play-offs

Cammell Laird's assistant manager Barry Ellison insists their in-form squad is good enough to target a play-off spot, writes Mark Ridgway.

Ellison, manager Tony Sullivan's right hand man, reckons the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League outfit fear nobody having not lost since their November defeat to Wakefield.

The Evo-Stik NPL First Division North Lairds host Farsley on Saturday and assistant manager Ellison, pictured on the touchline alongside Sullivan, said: "The play-off are a big possibility if the lads can carry on and believe in their own ability. I believe we are one best teams in the league and there is a massive buzz around the club from the players, to the boardroom, to the tea lady. Every week we have people's heads turning.

"People on the network site are saying the improvement from last year is brilliant and that's all down to the lads we have brought in. Me, Tony and Paul believe we can reach play offs and there is not one team to fear now.

"Our good form is down to the attitude of the lads, we have good banter off the field and they are all willing to work for each other. There is a great team spirit, the banter with the lads is up there as the best I have been involved with, that is the key to it."

Assistant managers are often seen as ‘one of the lads’ and some struggle showing authority but that isn't the case at Lairds according to Ellison.

"Being involved in the backroom staff is different to the playing side, but as we have a good backroom team winning feels the same," he said. "I like to think I'm one of the lads off the pitch, but as soon as we have a talk before the game it gets serious."

Ellison also paid tribute to his manager for the lessons he's learning, adding: "Since Tony brought me in I have got a lot to thank him for, and I'm learning all the time about management and the coaching side of the game. His passion for the game is unbelievable and it rubs off on me, so you get the best out yourself and the players."

Picture courtesy of Tony Coombes.