Punjab United surprised many in the last SCEFL Premier season as they flirted with the Play Offs until falling away in the run in with boss Chipie Sian keen to right some wrongs.

The new season starts this weekend as they visit Fisher, and boss Chipie Sian has been talking about what went wrong and his hopes for the new campaign.

“Fingers crossed we can really push on this year after we saw our hard work last season fall away in the last few games which killed us really!” Chipie admitted to us in the build-up to opening day. 

“It was a lack of goals that cost us in the end of last season I think,” the manager admitted.

“We ran out of legs a little bit and, we did not finish our chances in some games when we had the opportunity to win them. We lost games 4-2 and 3-2 and you are pulling your hair out asking why? But I think we have added well…” 

“I think we may have actually needed a couple more games before we started if I’m honest as I don’t think it’s been as good as we wanted it to be as we’ve had a lot of people on holiday which meant we haven’t had the full squad every week – we’ve picked up a couple of minor knocks, but I think there was enough to get us through, so we know where we want to be and how we’re going to set up going into the first game.”

“It is just a shame that we have a couple of suspensions hanging over from last season to take into the weekend.” 

Two of the standout signings for United have been Ryan Hayes and Reece Deakin – Chipie told us, “We spoke to Ryan and Reece whilst the Play Offs were going on at the end of last season, I think it was.”

“We had a chat and Reece signed a couple of days later. Ryan though had other offers and we thought that we had lost him, but then we got a message saying that he would like to come and be part of what we are trying to achieve.”

“It’s a fantastic capture for us – we need that level of experience; we know what he can do with his left foot and now we have to get to a system where we can utilise him.” 

“It was a great time for us to bring in Ryan as the chances he will create – and score – will really help. But Reece is a good striker too who can play up top by himself; he works hard, and we have got Cruis (Nyadzayo) who did get eighteen goals last season.”

“So, the squad is coming together, and we have got options coming off the bench that we did not have last year.” 

“Our aim is always to get enough points so that we do not have to look backwards – that is my first goal. And after that it must be the Play Offs, and I think that is what we have to achieve!”

“I always keep it simple – the main thing is to go out and get enough points on the board so we don’t look back over our shoulders which in the last couple of years has made our life a lot easier to where we were, but now in mid table and you can push forward and hopefully have a run in a Cup, it really does give you peace of mind when you come home at a weekend rather than worrying!”

“Let’s get enough points and then we can look at where we are… You have got to enjoy what you do, as if you do not, there’s no point in doing it!”

“We have a good management team – we are all good friends and that makes a massive difference on and off the pitch. We love what we do…”