Stafford Rangers introduce in-depth analysis to training to aid survival fight
Stafford Rangers have introduced in-depth analysis in training to assess their own and their opponents' strengths and weaknesses as they fight for survival.
Interim boss Graham Deakin has implemented the new system with his players, aiming to give them a clearer understanding of positioning, movement, and game shape.
Since its introduction at training, Deakin has guided Rangers to a Staffordshire Senior Cup win over Lichfield City and a draw against Northern One West giants Bury last weekend.
Deakin said: "We have introduced analysis into the club, the lads are seeing stuff back and we are putting stuff on a screen to give them visualisation of where they need to be at certain times in the game, and the shape off the ball.
"It has been a really positive week. We have got some much needed information and minutes on the pitch.
"We used analysis at Hednesford when I was there, and it was a big part of success for us in where we finished in the league with a low budget.
"Players these days enjoy that side of it. It is a good young group at Stafford who want to progress, and it is a really good tool to have so you can watch things back and put patterns in play on a screen where they can see it.
"They have bought into it really well. You can see with results, yes it is very early days, but from when we have introduced it for the Lichfield game, getting the win there and then the point against Bury, hopefully that carries on and the analysis is a big part of that."
Stafford currently sit 19th in the Northern One West table. Deakin was appointed following the departure of Neil Kitching.
Rangers defender Jimmy O’Neill, who boasts more than 130 appearances for the club and has seen several managers come and go in recent seasons, has welcomed the move.
"Since Deaks has come in there has definitely been an increase in atmosphere, it has been a lot more positive," O'Neill said.
"There has been the introduction of pre-training analysis where he will have clips of us, the opposition and then slides on the wall to look at our strengths and areas of development as well as that for the opposition."
