Welling manager Mark Goldberg on must-win game after four matches and Reece Prestedge update
Published: 06:00, 20 August 2019
Welling manager Mark Goldberg hopes Saturday’s home win over Oxford City can kickstart their season.
The Wings collected their second victory of the season at Park View Road in what Goldberg described as a must-win game.
“That's how we felt,” he stated. “To be honest when we went to Billericay if we'd got the draw - which we did deserve - then you'd come away thinking the first four games were tough and we'd won one, drawn two and lost one, a pretty decent start.
“But the fact that we'd lost two out of four for me was rather embarrassing and a poor start, whoever you're playing against. So for us it was a must-win game.
“I put pressure on myself. As a chairman I'd say it to my manager and as a manager I'm saying it to my players.
“Luckily we responded and they knew how important the game was and all in all, apart from the way we conceded that goal. I was about to make a substitution before the goal.
“I knew that Joe Anderson was exposed on his own, Anthony Cook was finding fantastic spaces up front but he wasn't able to get back and help. I was bringing Nathan Green on to do exactly that and then they scored - it was so frustrating.
“Luckily Aaron Cosgrave went down the other side and got the penalty and I was able to redeem the situation. He's got that in his player, he is such a great impact player.
“He can start or he can come on. I think he's frustrated that Cookie has taken his place but I've managed with Cookie for so many years and I know exactly what he can do.
“I explained to Aaron and it's one of those as a manager where you go with what you trust.”
Goldberg hopes his team can now build on that victory – both in terms of performance and points.
“(I want to see) a bit more confidence on the ball, playing the way we can play,” added Goldberg. “I think we've been disappointing.
“Other than the Bath game we've been quite resilient defensively and the first 20 minutes against Billericay we had to reorganise. But we were so concentrated on defending and not to lose (rather) than to express ourselves. That only comes with confidence.
“The players are still getting to know each other and even in pre-season we didn't have a lot of training sessions. I look at my bench and I feel I've got a good bunch of lads who are so together and hopefully it makes my job a lot easier.
“We've got to believe that we've got the squad now. People will be disappointed if they are not in the starting line-up but for me it's great that I've got players who are knocking on the door.”
Goldberg also offered an update on Reece Prestedge, who has been suspended for the first five games of the season. He would have started against Bath and Billericay had he been available.
“He would have played the last two games if he wasn't suspended,” said the Wings boss.
“People say his legs have had their best day but I've seen what I have in pre-season, he's come back really fit and he wants to be a part of it.
“He would have played holding midfield if he was available but unfortunately he wasn’t.”
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Matthew Panting