INTERVIEW | Free Role

Club Website, Aug 26, 2020

Connor Woods says he’s enjoying the freedom he has been given under the new system that Southport have adopted during pre-season.

With manager Liam Watson opting for a shape which includes three central defenders and three attackers, Woods has played across a variety of positions in the games so far often finding himself playing on the right wing or behind the strikers.

“It’s been a good experience,” he said. “I’ve really enjoyed playing in the middle because it’s more of a free role than I’m used to and it allows me to drift about and get the ball into my feet, which I prefer more.

“There’s still a month to go until the season starts, so I think we’re all just getting used to this new system and the positions we’re playing in but the results are starting to pick up and hopefully we can kick on now and get ready for the season.”

Woods enjoyed a stellar performance against Longridge Town on Saturday, getting onto the scoresheet twice including a superb first goal with the winger cutting in from the left before curling the ball with precision into the top corner and Woods says he was as surprised as anyone when the ball went in.

“I don’t think I’ve scored many better than that!” he said. “I didn’t expect it to go in to be honest. I just lifted my head up and saw the keeper was off his line and thought I’d have a go. I think I was more surprised than anyone on the pitch.”

That game against Longridge Town was hastily arranged following the cancellation of the visit of Huddersfield Town as they returned two positive Covid-19 tests which acted as a stark reminder of the threat of the virus on the footballing calendar.

Southport have put in place extensive protocols to stop the spread of the virus at fixtures which are explained here and Woods says that the players will be listening to what they’re told in order to make sure fans can get back through the door as soon as possible.

“The protocols are quite straightforward, so we need to just make sure we’re listening to what we’re told, making sure we are where we’re supposed to be and wearing masks when we need to be because if we’re doing that then they’re more likely to let the fans in and we can get back to playing in front of them.”

Written by James Houghton