Cale Throws Down The Gauntlet

Manager Andy Cale has challenged his new look Newtown squad to prove their worth on the eve of the big kick-off to the newly split Welsh Premier League.

With the Robins preparing to face 10 vital home and away fixtures in a fight for survival Cale has told his players that good performances against the top of the table sides must now be be turned into wins.

The Robins have impressed everyone in the league with displays against Bangor City, The New Saints, Llanelli and Neath but Cale knows that looking good will mean nothing unless they can turn those displays into points from now on.

Eleven of the current squad have been recruited by Cale who admits taking over a side on the eve of the season's big kick-off was his hardest role in football so far.

"It was very difficult ," said Cale. "We only had a week's window to sign players and I really hadn't had a chance to look at the quality we had.
"But everyone, and that includes the players who have since left, were magnificent in their attitude and dedication to the club.

"I needed to freshen things up and have identified and signed new players in the January transfer window, who I trust will have the qualities to keep Newtown in the Welsh Premier League.

"The next few weeks will be among the most important in the club's history. The challenge was to keep the club at the highest level and reduce the playing budget.

"Now it is up to the players to prove how good they are and that they can turn good performances into vital wins. I firmly believe we now have the quality to get ourselves away from the trouble zone and it has to start against bottom of the table Haverfordwest."

Cale will have a full strength squad to pick from with Paul Keddle completing a one match ban, though is unlikley to make many changes after Saturday's impressive performance against League champions The New Saints