Worcester Raiders' Karl Gormley: 'Keeping players happy is difficult'

Gormley's side gained their first three points of the Hellenic League Premier season on Wednesday night as they beat Hereford Lads Club 1-0 at Sixways, but it was a scrappy display from Raiders who were a way off the levels they have set in the past two years.

"Our performance in the first-half was not good enough," said Gormley. "We spoke to the lads at half-time and we changed the shape, put Isaac (Cooper) back out on the wing as usual and second-half things were a lot better.

Isaac Cooper scored the winner for Worcester Raiders on Wednesday night (Image: Through The Lens)

"I won't say we were amazing second-half because we weren’t but we ground out a result and we have to be happy with the three points."

It was obvious from the game that Raiders' usual stars such as Isaac Cooper, Bailey Fuller and Jordan Murphy were not quite at it. Defensively the hosts looked solid but in attack, they struggled to break Lads Club down.

Bailey Fuller scored a goal and produced an assist on Saturday in the 3-2 FA Cup win over Belper United (Image: Through The Lens)

And despite Cooper's winner, the question remained at full-time: how does Gormley get the best out of his star men?

"It’s a challenge, of course it is," admitted the boss. "Jordan (Murphy) comes down from Redditch after a 12-hour shift at work, Bailey 9Fuller) is at work all day, Isaac (Cooper) has driven down from Stoke after starting work at 5 am. So to ask these lads to produce their best every game is difficult.

Jordan Murphy was Worcester Raiders' top goal scorer last season (Image: Through The Lens)

"But they have set the standards now and we know what they are capable of so we will push them as much as we can."

Raiders do now have options and on Wednesday the likes of Max Black and Dan Cottrill came on and made a difference in the second-half against Lads Club.

But keeping everyone happy, particularly in attack, is going to be a challenge for the manager. Although, it is not one he minds too much. 

Karl Gormley is confident he can get the best out of his star players (Image: Through The Lens)

"This year we virtually have a replacement for every position," added Gormley. "That is something we didn’t have last year.

We needed energy in the second-half tonight (Wednesday) and we brought Max on, he's been chomping at the bit to get minutes.

"He has been patient and took his chance, as did Cotty (Cottrill). They came on and changed the game and took their chance really well.

"So having that big squad is difficult, trying to keep them happy, but it’s a massive bonus for us."