Gareth Dean ditches ‘young and naive’ Brackley Town claim and reveals important change
Brackley Town’s new manager, Gareth Dean, is determined to shift the mentality at the football club as he aims to propel the Saints back to form.
The Saints are currently 21st in the National League North following successive heavy defeats to Buxton and Morecambe.
But there might already have been a momentum shift, as Dean’s first game in charge saw Brackley beat Step 4 outfit AFC Portchester 1-0 to advance to the FA Cup third qualifying round.
There’s optimism that the squad Whing put together in the summer - alongside Dean in his then-recruitment-focused role - can be successful.
Although the team is inexperienced, Dean is having none of Whing’s repetitive previous claims that the Saints are ‘young and naive’.
“This group is underachieving, absolutely,” Dean told @BrackleyTownFC. “I don’t want excuses for me. I don’t want excuses for them. I don’t believe in young and naive.
“We’ve got two people in the management team who had promotions at the age of 21, so we’re not going to be soft and nice in that regard.
“I expect people to stand up. Everyone’s got a voice box within their throat. It doesn’t matter who old you are, use it. Demand it out of yourself.
“You need to look inwardly, first and foremost, before you speak outwardly and say it’s because of this and that.
“They need to do more, and they will do more with the demands I set now. If we need to bring in some reinforcements along the line, that’s something we’ll look at as well.”
Dean deployed a three-at-the-back formation for Brackley’s FA Cup triumph in a bid to turn the tide and stop the leaky defence.
“I think this group is quite adaptable; they can do multiple positions and shapes,” Dean explained.
“I’m not going to shy away, they’ve conceded 16 goals in seven games…
“Something has to change and we’ve analysed where those goals have come from, we’ve analysed individuals and positions.
“That’s my job and that’s James’ and Ali’s, to try and find solutions.
“You can’t concede 16 goals in seven matches and expect to win football matches.”
Dean hopes his Brackley side can kickstart some positive league form this Saturday, September 26, as they play host to 15th-placed Scarborough Athletic.