Heeley hails ‘fantastic’ work-rate (From Worcester News)

Heeley hails ‘fantastic’ work-rate

12:00pm Monday 7th January 2013 in Sport By Steve Carley - Midlands Sports Journalist of the Year 2013, @stevecarleyWN

MANAGER Carl Heeley praised the character of his players as they got off the mark in 2013 at Colwyn Bay.

Goals from Kyle Patterson, Graham Hutchison and Michael Taylor gave City their first victory since beating Bradford Park Avenue on December 15.

Heeley said: “The pitch was better than last year but quite heavy and there was a driving wind with no atmosphere. It was about character and every single one of them showed that.

“I thought their work-rate was fantastic and it was a convincing victory, well deserved.

“They’re all good players but sometimes, as in the two Gloucester games, it hasn’t quite gone for us.

“We’ve had opportunities and we haven’t taken them and we’ve been punished. That happens but it never changes the ability in the squad.

“In all honesty, I think 3-0 was about right because we had a lot of good situations but I think one goal would have been enough because we defended superbly well as a team and they rarely looked like scoring.”

The City boss also felt the return of skipper Stuart Whitehead and keeper Glyn Thompson helped steady the ship.

Heeley said: “Stuart has played hundreds of games and we’ve got a lot of young lads with ability but you need a little bit of know-how and experience alongside them. I just felt that after a poor Christmas double-header against Gloucester, it was time to bring him back because he’s fit now.

“Likewise with Glyn back in goal, he knows when to speed the game up and when to slow it down and that knowledge and nous is crucial for the young lads.”