Glenn Pennyfather wants the Chelmsford City supporters to act as a `twelfth man` and create a carnival atmosphere as they take-on fellow promotion candidates Woking in the first home game of the season on Monday night.
The Clarets’ Head Coach admits the players and staff can’t wait to run out for their opening Melbourne fixture after securing a 3-2 win at Basingstoke Town on Saturday. And, while he understands that player performances often generate a healthy rapport with those on the terraces, Pennyfather is aware how crucial home advantage can be.
He said: “The fans are always an important part. We’re very lucky in the respect that we boast a big fan base at our level and they’re vital in playing that role of the twelfth man. It’s a double-headed coin – do the fans excite the players or do the players excite the fans. It works both ways and the fans, with their vociferous noise, can hopefully raise the roof and push the players on and suck the ball into the net for us.”
Other than Ricky Modeste, who misses the game to complete a ban carried over from last season, Pennyfather is glad to have a fully-available squad to select from for the second match running. Goalkeeper James Pullen has been resting in order to shake off a minor virus and there were no ill effects from Saturday’s physical encounter.
“I learned one or two things about who can do what, when and how,” Pennyfather said of the weekend’s victory at the Camrose - City’s third opening day win in a row. “The players have to do the right things at the right times as the best teams make the most right decisions. The Woking game is certainly going to be a good yardstick for us as they are one of the much-fancied sides this season, along with a number of others.”
The Cards started their own campaign with a 1-0 home defeat to Dover Athletic on Saturday though they will remain undeterred as one of the league’s major forces.
Last season’s encounters saw the away side victorious on each occasion and Pennyfather added: “It’s an exciting fixture to have first time around under the floodlights on a Monday night, which is always special. Hopefully it will be a good atmosphere created by our supporters and we’re looking forward to hopefully getting three points.”
