Lippiatt Chases Finest Moment

[Nos]

Weekend Preview of Eastbourne Borough v St. Albans City by Alex Howard in today's NLP.

 

St. Albans manager Colin Lippiatt watched his side keep the pressure on Weymouth following their mid-week win over Thurrock and says winning the title would be his biggest achievement in football.

 

Lippiatt's side are just three points behind the Dorset side despite Weymouth starting the season as overwhelming title favourites due mainly to their outsized budget.

 

Lippiatt can only watch and wince as the Terras strengthen their squad at will with former Wimbledon striker Dean Holdsworth the latest to join their promotion push after completing his move to the Wessex Stadium last week.

 

"If we win the title then without a shadow of doubt it will be my biggest achievement in football," Lippiatt said. " I had some great times with Woking and Yeovil but this would definitely be number one. Weymouth can add whoever they want to their squad so if we push them to the finishing line it will be an outstanding achievement"

 

Lippiatt is also confident his side have the gas to continue the push.

 

"I don't think we'll run out of steam," he added. " We have a very good squad. Numerically it's not the strongest and we certainly don't have the best budget. But the spirit is very strong and we have better options than last year."

 

Lippiatt's achievement is all the more remarkable after a season of struggle last year that eventually saw him guide the Saints from relegation candidates to a 14th-placed finish.

 

"I'm surprised how far we've come. We have improved dramatically. But I certainly didn't expect this much improvement. I said at the start of the season that if we could break into the top half it would be a great achievement."

 

Eastbourne manager Garry Wilson is confident his side can push up the league with the club's injury crisis having finally eased.

 

"We were at full strength last week and we'll be at full strength for St. Albans," Wilson said. " the amount of injuries we've had this season have been horrendous. We've rarely been without two key players, we've often been without seven. So we've come into strength and have to back that up on the pitch. People outside the club will look at us and think how could they reach the play-off final last year and struggle this. But even without this year's injuries I've always said last season we over-achieved. I see us as a midtable side and that's still an achievable target. But at the same time it's very tight below us and I'd expect both Carshalton and Newport to pick up some results - so we have to be careful."

[AFF]

"Lippiatt can only watch and wince as the Terras......Dean Holdsworth the larest to join their promotion push".

 

Wince is about right, Colin. I did. Look up to the Heavens and say to yourself "Garry Hill has finally lost the plot completely. Dean Holdsworth. He's taken leave of his senses. He's panicking."

 

What we have got is good enough, Gaffer. Get on with it!

[cityman]

I still think we need to strengthen our central defence partnership...but not sure if/what could be done.

[AFF]

Hi Rob2.

 

I've said before that we were spoilt when Djoumin Sangare came into the side and forged a defensive partnership with Patrick Ada within quatre seconds, which is very unusual. Djoumin didn't look the same player when he was playing right back against us down at Lewes later in the season.

 

I wouldn't give Colin advice as I don't know anything about football but he needs to get clear in his mind which two it's to be [and for me it's which one should play with Ben Lewis], and let 'em get on with it.

[cityman]

I agree that it should be Ben lewis and IMO either Burton or a `new' player.

 

I think Patricks a great `bloke' and at times he's been outstanding but for me his good performances are 1 in 3.

 

Just my thoughts...like you I know nothing about Footbal either ;-)

[Rob_the_Saint]

By `new' are you including Ben Martin?

[AFF]

Ben is going to so far short of match firness err.. Rob. It would be good to give him a couple fo games with our Reserves.

 

Oh. I forgot. Perhaps he could lie about his age and get a game or two with Stevenage Borough School Of Excellence Under 16s on a Sunday.