Collins says club thrives on proving people wrong

First team coach James Collins is looking forward to his first full season coaching at that level after being promoted last season under Steve Davis. Collins will soon embark on his first pre-season and is excited at the prospect of working with a host of the younger players he has helped progressed through the ranks at the club.

Collins told crewealex.net that everyone is aiming to prove the critics wrong to make sure we remain in League One again next season. The Railwaymen have been tipped for relegation by most bookmakers.

James told the club’s official web-site: “Everyone is up for the challenge here. We thrive on it and although it was difficult last season, we managed to come through in the end and the players deserve credit for that because they were playing under great pressure towards the end of the season.

“Sometimes it is good to have that underdog tag and to be written off. We have being proving people wrong over many years here at this club. It started under Dario (Gradi) and all those years we had in the Championship. I think we were favourites to go down every year with the bookmakers.

“It was the same when Steve (Davis) got us promoted but we have managed to stay here and proved people wrong last season.

“I just can’t wait to get started now. It is exciting for me because from a personal point of view, it is my first pre-season with the first team. Steve and Neil have been great with me and I am helping with the coaching and that is what I wanted.

“It is not as though I am stood around watching them coach. There is a lot of work with the preparation and that is what I enjoy and like to do. I really appreciate the chance and the position I am in. “