Mental strength is key to success says boss Brennan

Hemel Hempstead Town manager Dean Brennan says that the mental strength of his team was key to their success over Basingstoke on Saturday.
Hemel Hempstead Town management duo Dean Brennan and Stuart Maynard. Picture (c) Darren KellyHemel Hempstead Town management duo Dean Brennan and Stuart Maynard. Picture (c) Darren Kelly
Hemel Hempstead Town management duo Dean Brennan and Stuart Maynard. Picture (c) Darren Kelly

Hemel were twice pegged back by their visitors, but dug deep to get the three points and record their first league win at home this season.

“The players showed fantastic mental strength, character and togetherness to take all three points,” said Brennan. “To be a goal up twice and be pegged back twice, then go on and win the game, it showed the belief we have in the camp.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Parkesy (Jordan Parkes) scored a fine hat-trick and all our substitutes made a big impact too.”

The Tudors fans were in fine voice once again, and Brennan says that they are playing a big part in Hemel’s impressive run of form.

“I thought Basingstoke played really well, the game was a fantastic encounter and a great advert for the Conference South,” he said.

“There’s a lot of positivity around the club at this moment in time. The Tudor Army have played a massive part in this, and once again on Saturday they were our 12th man.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The noise coming from the terraces gave the team a huge boost within key stages of the game.”

The Tudors are now up to 10th place in the table, and within touching distance of the playoff places. Brennan, though, is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.

“It’s always about our points target, and at this present moment we a slightly behind that target,” he said. “We keep looking to improve and we will keep taking it one game at a time.

“We as a management team have to make sure we keep doing our homework on the opposition and give our players no excuses come matchday.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Tudors have seen a number of comings and goings this season, but Brennan says his work in the transfer market is not done yet.

He added: “We are still in the market for a couple more players in different departments; we have identified these players so hopefully we can make those deals happen sooner rather than later.”

At the time the Gazette went to press, Hemel were preparing for a trip to Bath City, and Brennan said: “Bath have come off the back of two defeats in a row, so we know they are going to be looking to get at us right from the start.

“They also have the opportunity to go above us in the table. Our players know what to expect, we know plenty about them tactically but the big question is can we sustain the standard work rate we have set, while keeping that belief the players have created between the group.”

He added: “We know it will be a very tough game but I know it’s another game we are all really looking forward to.”