Graham Nicholas will be watching his Garforth team closely over the next two months as he formulates his team for the West Riding County Cup final
Graham Nicholas admits that there still “places to grab” for Garforth Town’s West Riding County Cup final date.
Some players have already secured their spots in the starting line-up, but others have work to do if they want to play in the final against either Tadcaster Albion or Bradford (Park Avenue).
The final is expected to take place in April.
The Toolstation NCEL Premier Division side pulled off one of the biggest shocks in recent memory by beating Harrogate Town in the semi-finals last week.
Nicholas, whose side’s hopes of finish in the top ten are almost over, said: “It was one of the proudest nights I’ve had as a manager (at Harrogate), but I said to the lads straight after ‘don’t let it go to your heads because we haven’t won anything yet’.
“It is great getting to a final, but there is no point getting there unless you’re going there to win it.
“We have to be focussed. I know I said ‘can we finish in the top ten in the league’, but realistically that isn’t our priority. Our priority is winning silverware this season.
“It is about the players earning their places for the final. Some have guaranteed a shirt, but I look upon it has I have greens and ambers.
“The greens will start. It is the ambers who are fighting for a shirt (in the final). There’s places to grab.”
The County Cup final will be the highlight of Nicholas’ almost two season-long reign.
Whether that turns into a third season is unclear as he is yet to sit down with the club’s new owners to discuss the future.
When does attend a meeting he will be seeking assurances about a few subjects before he decides on whether to commit to another campaign.
“I won’t be planning for next season (at the moment) because I want to concentrate on this season and winning some silverware,” he said.
“At the end of the season I’ll obviously decide what I’m going to do. One thing we do need to improve is being able to coach.
“I don’t get to coach players and it is hurting me. As an A-License coach I need to coach players.
“We’re not training on a regular basis and that’s what hurts because I’m putting my name to these results and it is not fair.
“We’ll get to the end of the season and we’ll see what happens.”
Garforth travel to resurgent Nostell Miners Welfare tomorrow. Nostell are hoping to rack up a third consecutive victory to move further away from trouble.