Ryan & Co eager to get back to business after postponements

The inclement weather has put a stop to the Bucks’ last two Evo-Stik Premier Division fixtures against Stourbridge last Saturday and Workington on Tuesday night, with the Silverlands pitch frozen over.

The ‘Beast from the East’ has also increased Ryan’s workload as he is not only preparing the squad for their scheduled opponents but also hastily arranging alternative training sessions if the fixtures are postponed.

Buxton are scheduled to travel south near to Walsall to take on Rushall Olympic this coming Saturday and Ryan said he will have more than an eye on the forecast of the coming days and an ear to the phone.

He said: “All the players are desperate for it to be on. We were all devastated the game on Tuesday night was called off. We’ve been preparing for it but we’re also preparing for the games to be called off, I can’t leave until last minute.

“We’re still ticking over. The lads are eager to get games but the weather condemns it to a blank at the moment. Some of the lads are travelling quite a distance for home games and training due to the widespread recruitment.

“In general, everyone gets to training and everyone’s mucking in to get themselves conditioned for when games are on and that’s all we can do.”

And added: “Everyone’s keeping an eye out. They (Rushall) have had similar to what we’ve had. We’re hoping the weather clears but looking at the forecast the temperatures are in the minus so it’s going to take some shifting.

“They’ll want the game on as well though and once the motorways are clear there is a chance it could be on, but it’ll take some work.”

If the game goes ahead it will be two weeks since the Bucks were last in league action, away at Stourbridge in a game which still leaves a sour taste in the mouth of Ryan after losing out to a 94th-minute goal.

“We are itching to get playing again,” he said. “The lads are eager to get smiling again and enjoying their football. We all enjoy football when you win.

“The lads have always enjoyed it whoever has been in charge. It’s a winning mentality that we need and that’ll bring back the smiles to everyone’s face, supporters as well. That’s the main objective - to get back to winning games.”

Ryan took over the first team reins three weeks ago following Martin McIntosh’s departure, for whom he was assistant manager, and has continued very much in the same vein as when the two of them were in post.

“I was really close to Macca and we did a lot of things between us, splitting phone calls and the like, so it’s not been too indifferent; we’ve not had many games anyway so I’ve not had that to get my teeth stuck in to,” said Ryan.

“The training has continued, we’ve not done anything differently, and the one positive of having these games off is that it’s given time for some of the lads an extra few weeks to right themselves. We’ve continued in what we were doing. The lads are brilliant and that’s why they’re at the club to start with.”

A new manager is yet to be appointed with the club’s deadline for applications passing last week, but Ryan said he is in regular dialogue with chairman Dave Hopkins and will continue looking after the first team until told otherwise.

“I speak with Dave (Hopkins, Buxton FC chairman) every few days to keep up to date with what is going on. The closing date for applicants was a week or so ago. I know they’ll have had some decent candidates but it’s not part of my role.

“They’re working on that side of things and I’m working on the playing side of things. It came as a surprise when the manager (Martin McIntosh) went and I’m still really close with him so I’ve not thought anything long term.

“I’ve been in the game a long time and I know this is football. My main objective is to get some results.”

The Bucks already have eight league games scheduled for March without any potential further cancellations to fit in, with trips to Hednesford Town on Tuesday and Lancaster City the following Saturday (10th March) up next.

“It’s going to be busy towards the end of the season for whoever is in charge, be it me or someone else. It’ll be three games a week, thick and fast, and sometimes it can work in your favour to climb the league quickly.

“On the flip side it could be a chore if your squad gets stretched and you start to pick up a few niggles. Whichever way it turns, good or bad, we’re prepared to do it and enjoy doing it and we’ll keep working as long as we’re told,” said Ryan.