Phillips says slow starts have cost the Robins dear since 2013. This season he wants his side to be straight out of the blocks so they are not left playing catch-up and missing out by a handful of points.
“We need to start winning right from the beginning — not like we’ve got a hangover. Last year we only took seven points from the first eight games. The season before we drew five of the first eight,” said Phillips.
“I don’t know why we’ve had the slow starts, but Steve and I have changed things a little in pre-season to nullify them.
“We’ve looked at training, how we do things and how we recover. And we’ve made sure everybody knows the system. Last season we tinkered a lot and I don’t think that helped because sometimes people didn’t fully know their job. Now, everyone knows the system and the job they have to do. We’ve made sure they’re up to speed.”
Even so, Phillips admits Ashton will still be up against because of the money others are able to spend. Although many people are saying the Evo-stik NPL premier division is at its most open for several years following the promotion of clubs like Salford and Darlington, he believes there are still several that can flash the cash and points to Blyth Spartans and Warrington as examples.
To prepare for the new campaign, Phillips and Halford have signed 14 players — Scott Metcalfe having chosen to return to Warrington Town.
The plan is to have a squad of around 18 and so far only five or so are looking sure to have a place when the Robins travel to Frickley on Saturday. Phillips says the rest will have to fight for a shirt, including former Hyde United and Altrincham star Ryan Crowther.
“Ryan’s a great player but he turned up not as fit as he should have been. I told him if he wanted to play he would have to pull his socks up and to be fair he’s been away, done some work, and is now looking more like he did at Altrincham,” he explained.
One gap that will be difficult to fill, however, is that of striker Martin Pilkington who has received a four-year ban from the FA for betting offences. The sentence has angered Phillips, not just because it has robbed him of a proven striker, but also because he believes it to be unduly severe.
He explained: “Last year Pilky got us 28 goals from open play and similar figures the year before. You’d take that from anybody. It’s a massive effort and he’s a great lad off the field too.
“Pilky was open with the FA all the way through. He has an addiction and has been to Gamblers Anonymous for help. But the FA have chosen to ignore that. Instead of doing something to rehabilitate him they’ve ended his career and left him a place that’ll just feed his habit.
“I accept he deserved some sort of punishment but I think the FA have gone too far.”
As well as losing Pilkington, Ashton also face the opening game without highly-rated goalkeeper Grant Shenton who has broken a hand. Phillips and Halford believe they have more than adequate replacements of both men in Danny Wilkins and striker Lee Gaskell.
On the other hand, there might be an enforced return between the sticks for Phillips who had planned to finally swap gloves for the dug-out after a long and eventful playing career.
Signings
Jody Banim (striker) Radcliffe Borough
Liam Brownhill (defender) FC United
Ryan Crowther (winger) Altrincham
Jack Dorney (midfield) Chorley
Lee Gaskell (striker) Darlington
Adam Mather (midfield) Bradford Park Avenue
Sam McMahon (striker) Radcliffe Borough
Tunji Moses (midfield) Salford City
Rhys Nevins (midfield) Mossley
Shelton Payne (striker) Hednesford
Grant Shenton (goalkeeper) Ramsbottom
Richard Smith (midfield) Radcliffe Borough
Danny Wilkins (goalkeeper) Ramsbottom