Paul plots Gunners� recovery mission
Tumelo Mouwane | Friday July 17, 2015 13:08
The former Zebras assistant and Under-23 coach is a man on a mission, whose plans include landing the Mascom Top 8 cup.
Paul replaced Calvin Peterson who left the club at the seventh position on the log at the end of last season. Paul has been a handy man at Gunners prior to his appointment. He used to alternate between his Under-23 responsibilities and playing assistant coach at the Lobatse-side.
Paul told Mmegi Sport his squad is showing commitment and hoped to used Kabelano Charity Cup to give most players game time. “The transfer window is still open and there are a lot of player movements. This is the third week since I was appointed and training is going well. The boys are showing courage. They are doing it from the heart. The players are also willing to learn and they are determined to achieve more. That makes work easier for me,” said an upbeat Paul.
While the opponents are eyeing the Barclays Kabelano Charity cup, Pail said that “is not the target. We are critically preparing for the Premier League season, but we must do well in the Kabelano cup. Since Kabelano is a charity cup, we are going to give a lot of players game time”.
Despite the little setback that has been caused by the ongoing transfer window on his squad, Paul is optimistic the team can still do well without their former game changing midfielder Tshepo Molefe and Katlego Keobake. In his efforts of building a strong squad, Paul has signed Thabiso Mabachi and Bonno Mosea, both contracted on two-year deals. Paul believes his 11-year experience in coaching and sport development is enough to take the team back to its glory days.
The holder of physical training degree and Masters of Arts in sports development from University of Cardiff, said he is preparing a two-way squad for the battle to glory. He said he is still looking for more players to reinforce his squad.
“My squad is a two way division, it is a combination of young players and experienced players. Even though I have no specific players that am eyeing out there, I need a top man in my squad. Someone who can hold the ball and open up opponents, typical of Tlou Segolela. I also need two wingers in both sides and a box-to-box middle fielder. We played two friendly games against Mochudi Rovers and we played to a 1-1 draw in both games. The main thing was to gain team shape and fitness,” Paul said.
To assist him in achieving his goals, Paul said among other things, is cooperation between management and the players. “I pray to God that we come together with the players and management and work cooperatively to build a strong team. My management is very supportive; I cannot complain at all about them. I have my own philosophy of football despite the fact that supporters want results. We will still prepare a long term operation,” Paul said.