AFC Fylde bid to boost boss Jim Bentley on road to recovery after heart surgery

The Coasters welcome Bradford (Park Avenue) to Mill Farm this evening (7.45) looking to build on a 2-1 comeback win over Boston United on Saturday which left third-placed Fylde just three points behind National League North leaders Gloucester City.

And although everyone involved with the club will miss Bentley during his recovery period, Chadwick says every step has been taken to minimise the impact on the squad.

He told the club website: “Throughout the week Jim has been off preparing for his op we’ve spoken three or four times a day.

“We are very aligned in how we want things done. We’ve worked together strongly on the players we’ve brought into the building and how we’ve set up this season, so that’s made it a lot easier.

“We had a trial run when Jim’s operation was cancelled (Chadwick taking charge for the 3-2 win over Kettering Town in October) but it’s the right time for him to step back now, look after himself and make sure he recovers from the operation.

“Of course we all wish him well with that. I’m here to step in and make sure we continue to put in performances like we did on Saturday and keep on picking up results.

The players have been in contact with Jim too. He’s an excellent man-manager and they think the world of him.

“They are right behind Jim and have bought into the work Tayls (coach Andy Taylor) and I have done with them. We have all been hands on anyway, so the impact on the players has been minimised.

“Obviously we all miss Jim’s liveliness around the place and it’s a little quieter. But in terms of preparation for games , the players’ ambitions match mine, Jim’s and those of the rest of the staff.

“We are all hellbent on promotion and the players aren’t just working for one person. They all have their own ambitions and hopefully we can all achieve those together.

“We’ve had a decent start and need to make sure that continues. For the time being that’s without Jim but he’ll be back right as rain. We know he can’t wait to be back in the building and he hasn’t even had the op yet!”

Chadwick adds that nothing will be taken for granted against a Bradford side who have taken four points from two games over the past week and earned a 2-2 draw at Spennymoor Town on Saturday.

He added: “We are confident at home, even without the fans. We just need to make sure that confidence does not breed complacency because teams are capable of picking up points off us in this league, as has happened already.

“We have to make sure we prepare to right way and focus on what Bradford (Park Avenue) are good at. They play the right way and look to move the ball, similar to ourselves. They have quality but any team in this division can hurt you if you don’t approach the game in the right way.

“We’ve noticed that they score quite a few goals but concede some too, so it should be a good game to be involved in.”

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