North West Counties
Sam Dexter says unbeaten Ilkley Town have given themselves a solid “foundation” and are in a far stronger position than they were after four games last season.
Ilkley have won three and drawn one and sit third in the First Division North table.
This time last year they were winless and struggling to adapt to Step 6.
“If you look at the beginning of last season to the beginning of this season, they are world’s apart,” Dexter told Non League Yorkshire.
“Last season as other managers found, we had lads getting pinged right, left and centre off the NHS app.
“The team was changing every week.
“We had full-backs playing in midfield and we couldn’t start with what we thought was our strongest squad.
“The lads were playing at a new standard and playing at grounds they have never been before and it was a massive learning curve.
“Going into this season everyone is injury-free and we have gone in really strong.
“We know the grounds we are going to and we know how to set-up against teams away from home. Twelve months ago we didn’t have that luxury.
“We had a Wednesday night game last week away at Bacup which in my opinion is one of the toughest games of the season.
“We’re in a more experienced position now and the lads have a year’s experience so we’re just in a better position all round.
“We have a great foundation for the season and circumstances have depicted that.”
Although the start could make people get giddy, Dexter is remaining level-headed and not looking too far ahead.
“It has been a fantastic start for us,” he said.
“But that’s all it is, it is just a fantastic start.
“We’re under no illusions and we know we have a lot of work to do.
“We’re on a good run of form and we want to make that last as long as we can.
“(A top half finish) is a possibility but it is still very early days.
“What we did just before the season started we set overall targets for the season and set targets for the first three games.
“That was to get seven points and we got nine.
“We then set targets for the first five games to get into double figures and after four games we have ten points.
“The first two targets for the season have been ticked off.
“Now we set targets for the long-term.
“It is still very early and I still don’t think you get an idea of where you are going to be.
“I think the first sign is after ten games and then you’re looking again at Christmas.
“At Christmas you kind of know what battle you are in.”
Just how Ilkley have come will evident when they host fancied Holker Old Boys tomorrow.
“We have a really tough fixture against Holker who obviously came second in the league last year and just missed out on promotion after losing the play-off final to Golcar,” he said.
“They are a very good side and I thought they deserved to go up.
“I’m sure they will be in the hunt again at the end of the season.
“We know Saturday is going to be really tough but all the lads fancy it and they are up for it.”