A sense that people want him to fail is making Daniel Woodhead even more determined to be a success as Huntingdon Town boss.
Rookie manager Woodhead reckons many in the Eynesbury and St Neots area, where he is based, are waiting for him to make a mess of a job he took on during the summer.
Woodhead’s first post at first-team level became all the more difficult following a mass exodus of players which left him with the task of assembling an entirely new-look squad for the United Counties League Division One campaign.
The fact Town have lost their opening two matches is not a great surprise, but Woodhead is heartened by the performances they have produced – especially when being pipped 1-0 by Melton Town at Jubilee Park last Saturday.
Huntingdon man Dom Smith missed the best chance of the first half before the visitors broke through on the hour. A series of fine saves from Town goalkeeper Dan Smith denied them further goals.
“I’m convinced that everyone local to me wants to see me fail,” said Woodhead. “I’m guessing that’s the way it works when you’re a new manager and taking on a tough job.
“To be honest I’ve already learned to let what people say about me go in one ear and straight out of the other one!
“I’m just focusing on the job at Huntingdon and although we didn’t get a result on Saturday there were many positives to take forward.
“We played a new formation and the lads adapted very well to it. There was a massive amount of improvement from the first game against Aylestone Park the previous Saturday.
“The lads showed a real unity all over the park for the first time and I really do think that we will hit the ground running in the coming weeks.
“We had more chances against Melton and that was encouraging to see. I’m not going to suggest we deserved to win the game, but a draw wouldn’t have been a shock.”
Huntingdon’s search for a first goal and first point continues this Saturday – as does their run of fixtures against Leicestershire sides.
They travel to early-season table-toppers Lutterworth Athletic, who have won both games to date.
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