FC Halifax Town: We must, and will be, better, says Fullarton

The Shaymen produced an out-of-sorts display in losing to the National League North team, and were 2-0 down at half-time before Dayle Southwell’s consolation goal.

“I’ll never hide behind ‘it’s only pre-season so it doesn’t matter’,” said Fullarton, everything matters.”

“Every day the tapestry’s being created and opinions on players are evolving.

“And today we learned a little bit more about each individual character, some positive, some negative, some areas that reinforces what we already knew, and some new points that have cropped up.

“But you need to make sure you take these learning opportunities, because that’s what it is, where the three points aren’t at at stake, in order for Saturday, to make sure we have a team that’s on the pitch that can go and win the three points.”

On what he had learned most from the match, Fullarton said: “There’s lots I’ve learned from it, and it’s reinforced certain aspects that I was aware of along with the rest of the coaching staff.

“What’s vital is we must always stay in the game, be in the game, and how you do that is by sticking together, staying together.

“When the three points is at stake, there’s a slight change in mindset, no matter how much you try to recreate it in friendlies or training matches.

“When there’s three points at stake, players rise to it and find that extra focus or intensity, and we’ll work towards that for next Saturday.”

Asked whether the result was a wake-up call ahead of the start of the campaign, Fullarton said: “The standards are set by the players, and they have been set over a period, individually and collectively.

“I think it’s a burst of the bubble of reality of where we’re at. Every time you step on that pitch, whether it’s a training pitch or a match pitch, no matter who you are, you can’t afford not to be at it at every sense, whether it be in or out of possession or any area.

“It’s important we learn that quickly. I think it’s burst the bubble of reality to make sure that we’re aware because there’s three points at stake on Saturday.

“The mantra’s not changed since day one. We’re going to look to win every game, and next time it starts for real.”

And Fullarton believes Town will put up a better showing at Braintree.

“You could dissect it as deep as you want, but ultimately we’ve learned some things that are good to learn in pre-season rather than when the three points are at stake,” he said.

“Players are honest with themselves, but you have to add balance to it. Next week has to be better and I’ve no doubt it will be better because of the individuals that we have in the building.”

On the reaction of the Halifax fans to the game, Fullarton said: “They care, like all fans, and they want to win every game, which is no different from what I am.

“But my interaction with them since I’ve been in the building suggests that they will look at it from an objective, balanced view.

“If next week, and the week after, and the week after it’s similar, I will be along with them and looking at it where we need to make sure it’s better than that.”

Fullarton said there were positives to take from the match, but stressed that his team will be better when the season starts for real.

“I think that’s the same for every club, and every group of players,” he said.

“I don’t like diminishing the importance of the games in pre-season, because they are important, but you’ve got to look and take the positives. Matty Brown has come through 90 minutes having not played, so he’ll be much better than that.

“Others have got more minutes in their legs, leading towards being in a position to being selected.

“We’ll look to pick the team to win the game away to Braintree based on a number of factors on where we’re at, what we’re looking to do and how they are.

“I’m not ever happy with losing, but next week is when it really matters and that’s what we’re working towards.”

Asked whether he knew his starting line-up now for the Braintree game, Fullarton said; “It’s not as clear cut as that. You have ideas, and what we’ve learned from today and the questions we’ve been asked, and if certain aspects are repeated and start to become characteristics, then that starts to build that picture for you.

“Between now and then there are other aspects that will impact or affect the starting 11.

“What you never do is allow emotion to ever cloud your judgement or decision-making, so when I watch it again, that will help form the opinion of what’s the best team to go and beat Braintree.”

Right-back Michael Duckworth has returned to Halifax, and started the Boston game, and Fullarton says talks are ongoing over the defender’s future.

“There’s certain factors that will influence that,” he said. “It was good to have Michael in, he’s come in for the last few days at training.

“Whatever circumstances or situation has happened over the summer, and it’s an ongoing thing, so we’ll see how that pans out.”

Matty Kosylo was again named as a substitute against Boston, and Fullarton said the winger’s restricted use in pre-season is due to him not being able to train with the rest of the squad.

Fullarton said: “Due to Matty’s situation he is unable to commit to train with the group in the mornings which is unfortunate because he is constantly playing catch up and behind the rest of the group physically and tactically due to the group training twice a day every day and Matty training twice a week in the evenings. It’s a real challenge.”

It was announced on Saturday that winger Josh Macdonald, currently out with a cruciate ligament injury, has signed a one-year contract with The Shaymen.

“That’s great, I’m a big advocate of that,” said Fullarton. “Unfortunately for Josh, he’s picked up an injury as we’re all aware of.

“I think the club have demonstrated, and the chairman in particular, how they run things in terms of morally and their integrity.

“For someone who retired through injury and went through a very difficult time myself, I fully appreciate and understand where Josh is at the moment.

“I’m really looking forward, once he recovers, to have him back on the training field because since I’ve been here I’ve never really had that opportunity with him.

“I think the fans will appreciate it and I think great credit goes to the chairman for showing what type of club we are behind-the-scenes.”

On when Macdonald may be back from his injury, Fullarton added: “Being very experienced with long-term injuries and having 14 different operations, I know it would be flying a kite in a hurricane to suggest that.

“Everybody has different degrees of an injury so until he has his operation and reacts, you never know.

“But there’s no doubt with the support he will have from the club, his mindset and attitude towards it, he’ll be back as soon as it’s possible without the risk of re-injuring it. That’s the aim for us all.

“When it is, even the surgeon won’t be in a position to say at this stage.”