LEDBURY FC manager - Ian Merrick, says he sees no reason why his side 'couldn't go on a real good run now and put on a lot of wins'.
Ledbury have had a long period of absence over the Christmas break, and are set to return to action this weekend (Saturday 11), against Westfields Reserves.
"[The break in play] can be a blessing and sometimes it can be a curse," said Merrick. "Obviously we had a comeback against Bromyard before Christmas, 3-0 down at half time and the second half performance was brilliant.
"So we had the high, and then you don't have any games for two, three weeks. You have that lull. We start back training this week, blow the cobwebs off, and hopefully build some momentum again then."
Westfields Reserves presents the perfect opportunity to do just that - bottom of the league, a goal difference of -86, with just one win from their 16 games played thus far.
"It is like with any game, we have to take it one game at a time. You never get too far ahead of yourself," said Merrick. "You can’t be too confident. Going there, yes, we will be looking to win the game, we want to put more points on the board, we want to score goals, we want to attack.
"100 percent we will be looking to go there and win the game but lets show them the respect that they deserve ultimately."
Merrick took over during a period of turmoil for Ledbury, following the mutual agreement for Matt Tunley to step down as manager of the club.
But Merrick's return has seen a serious upturn of form for the side. A host of his previous players re-joined the team, and they now sit in eighth position in the ZZOOMM Herefordshire Football League.
"If we could finish in the top five or six from where we were, it would be a great achievement," he said. "There is no pressure, but if we could sneak into the top five.
"The three seasons I was here previously we never finished outside the top four. I think we are too far behind that, but if we could sneak into the top five or six, that would be a hell of a second half to the season.
"Over the Christmas break, we had three more lads who were playing for us previously, so pretty much all of last seasons squad has been reassembled.
"We have some young players who have broken through, I don’t see why we couldn’t go on a real good run now and put on a lot of wins."
Following that, the side hope to go on and gain promotion into the Hellenic League structure.
"When I took over three years ago [promotion] was always my aim. My aim was to get Ledbury to step six, into the Hellenic pyramid," said Merrick.
"Proper football, step six. That is where we want to be. Absolutely that will be our goal next season, [promotion] has to be the goal if you are playing football. You want to try and win, absolutely."
Merrick's side will kick off their 2025 campaign away at Westfields this Saturday (January 11).
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