Pickering Town boss Mitch Cook
Pickering Town chief Mitch Cook believes the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division is not as strong as previous years, writes James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson).
Cook was the Bridlington Town manager for two seasons until June so is well-placed to pass comment on the standard of the Division.
When assessing his own side’s form, Cook revealed his verdict on the state of the league having recently seen his side annihilate Lincoln Moorlands Railway 11-0.
“I’m one of these who thinks we should win every game,” he said.
“We’re doing ok. I don’t think the league is as strong as it has been over the last couple of years, particularly with Scarborough not been in there.
“When I wasn’t managing and just watching, I was thinking that the games weren’t as good. But, the bottom five is like a different league (because of the points difference) which is always a shame.
“We had Lincoln and Winterton two games running and got 19 goals and they’re nice things, but that’s how the league is and you’re got to do it.
“Obviously things could be better for us because you don’t like to get beat and the games we have lost we have felt we were unlucky, particularly against Brighouse.
“But, we have a young side with a few experienced lads. We want to play football. It has been tough like it is for any new manager. When a new manager comes in he has certain players he likes and player he doesn’t.
“We had a massive turnover because the players who were here felt aggrieved by what happened with the previous manager. There was nothing I could do. I was asked to do the job and I have to do it to the best of my ability.
“The players we have brought in are good. Jimmy Beadle, Tony Hackworth they are good players with a lot of experience.”
Cook replaced the sacked Jimmy Reid at the beginning of November and Pickering have won five times since he returned to the role he held during the 2010-11 season.
Pickering axed Reid after the club fell away from the top end of the table and whilst they are seventh in the table Cook admits promotion is unlikely.
“Realistically you would, but mathematically it is not,” he said.
“We’re all realists or I am. We have Maltby Main at home tomorrow and the target is to win that.
“There’s no clichés. We’re missing a player through suspension and because we have a small squad we may have to fiddle about with it again.”
Cook’s son Nathan is suspended tomorrow following his sending off in the defeat to Brighouse two weeks ago.