Rhyl FC’s young manager Niall McGuinness has said that staying in the Welsh Premier League would be regarded as a success this season.
The North Wales based side finished second from bottom last season and stayed up via Port Talbot’s automatic relegation for failing to have a licence.
Speaking to YClwbPeldDroed last month, the former Academy manager turned First Team manager spoke on his current squad, the league itself and who he is as a manager.
The gulf in class in the league was on the agenda, with The New Saints already holding an eight point advantage over second place gap Connah’s Quay and with Bangor City under new ownership, Rhyl’s aims are to stay up this season, despite currently being in fourth place.
“A success for us will be to stay in the league, everyone who knows the league knows the situation with budgets.”
Player recruitment wise, many players left the club whilst many also came into the club as Rhyl adopted a new approach. But kept in mind that come January there could be more additions to the squad.
“We have build a team of players from the lower leagues, Oliver Buckley has come in from three leagues below. I understand what kind of signings the fans would like to see, but for now we will be taking it one game at a time.”
When asked about if having a young squad with a blend of experience gave the perfect balance he gave this answer.
“I think the age doesn’t mean much if the players have the ability and buy into what you want as a manager than your on the right track.”
As Niall has worked with the youth teams before, this is a fitting comment as he will be known to many of the current first team squad and with his award in 2014, winning Wales’ Young Coach of the Year, many young players will want to work under the guidance of him.
Giving experience to the younger players in the top flight of Welsh football is a fantastic learning curve and can allow them to grow as footballers.
“We have a good balance of youth and experience in the team. This is helping some of the younger characters learn the game and become more experienced in the WPL.”
Carl Lamb who won Player of the Month for August was a signing that helped mix youth and experience, Niall described him as a physical player with a great presence in the air. With such an influence to the younger players, he is proving to be a key signing so far.
“Lamby has been fantastic since coming into the side he is a physical player with a great presence in the air. His experience has helped us and he’s a top lad to have around the squad.”
Rhyl FC Head of Youth Niall McGuinness (Photo: Sport Wales)
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