Dev says best is yet to come (22.08.02)

THE influx of new players may have generated a new found optimism at York Road, but Alan Devonshire will not rest on his laurels.
After Tuesday evenings 5-0 demolition job on Chesham United, a tidal wave of confidence has washed over the club and many may think – fans and players alike – that this is as good as it gets.
Not according to the United manager.
While he’s not getting over-excited about the remarkable thrashing of Chesham, he also underlined that it’s up to the players to keep performing.
Devonshire is determined to keep improving the club slowly, but surely.
He is convinced the best is yet to come.
He said: “I have a 1st team squad of 19 to 20 players which you need at this level.
“We’ve got about six players covering the defensive positions and six for three places in midfield.
“We are still a bit light up front, so there’s scope for improvement.”
He added “I’m looking at Ibrahim and Dillon in our reserves and these might fill the gap. Otherwise I may have to go and get someone.
“That said, I’m always looking to improve the standard of players at the club. That’s the way forward.”
He continued: “Some of the Chesham officials after the game said we passed the ball really well, as before we were more direct.
“However you can only pay a certain type of football with the players you have.
“Year on year improvement is what I’m after. The chairman knows this and has been really supportive.
“I speak to him all the time and he understands what I’m trying to do.”
Certainly Roger Coombs, the club chairman, can have no complaints about the show the team put on to roll over Chesham, and neither did Devonshire.
The manager said of Tuesday’s win: “I was very impressed. We only had the single goal at the break, but once we got the second I thought we put on a bit of a show.
“I know 5-0 flattered us, but we took our chances. It was good to see. We worked hard after the defeat at Purfleet (on Saturday) and the boys listened to what I said afterwards.”
According to Devonshire, despite losing 1-0 at Purfleet in their opening game of the Ryman Premier Division campaign, his side played well, especially in the second half.
However one cause for concern was the final pass, but this glitch was certainly rectified on Tuesday.
Devonshire commented: “On Saturday we didn’t get the ball in the right attacking areas. But the final ball on Tuesday was very good.
“Before the game I had tongue in cheek said it would be nice to do someone 5-0 this season. I did not think it would happen that night.”
Whatever the manager thinks before the start of the season the general opinion was that United could finish in the top half.
If they consistently play like they did against Chesham, a top six finish could be on the cards.