9 points, 12 goals, third in the table and doubt subsiding, Ramsbottom United manager Lee Donafee was a happy enough man after the 3-0 win over Mossley on Monday afternoon but knows that he must keep his feet on the ground.
Lee spoke to RamsbottomUnited365 on Monday evening.
“I asked to the lads after the Kendal game how much they wanted it for Rammy? They have answered me and I cannot fault them, winning three from three in the week.
“I would have taken 1-0 1-0 1-0 but the lads have taken it to another level. We put the plans and plays together, give them to Michael the coach and the lads have been brilliant taking them forward and I am really proud of them.
“But we know that we don’t win leagues in August and September but this performance has been really professional and that is all down to the lads.
“I feel that no one gives us much respect and the lads were saying that my pre-match team talk was all a bit Braveheart but we turned in a fantastic performance today, as we did against Kendal and Market Drayton.
“We came in for a bit of criticism after the FA Cup defeat and rightly so but we learned from that Barnoldswick game and we went into the Kendal match and knew it would be make or break for us.
“There were a few changes for the Kendal game but we managed to field the same 16 man squad for the last two games.
“Both Godwin Abadaki and Jamie Rother are coming back from injury so I have to manage them and I knew I probably wouldn’t get a full game out of either of them so that was only change we made from Saturday to Monday.”
He has particular praise for the new signings who have come into the side.
“Steve Hoy has been absolutely brilliant since he came over from Bootle. He is very similar to Luke Thompson, who was a real fans favourite and I think that Steve will be the same. He is a combative centre half and he has been class for us.
“Kayle Power is someone I have wanted to look at for a while and he has made a great impact when he comes on.
“And then there is James Murphy who has been outstanding! Absolutely outstanding with five goals and four assists, we could not have asked for much more.
With a gap now of eight days before the next game, it gives him a chance to look back and reflect on his start in the job.
“I really only had the last two weeks of pre-season, a couple of games and a couple of training sessions before the first game. I knew we weren’t right then and it showed.
“But I would really love to play Marine again now, they would be playing against a completely different team and the result would be very different.
“It is all about getting the right tune out of the right instruments in this team. We have been brilliant in the last three games but we know we have to take it forward now and keep going.
“We have a great squad of players, really wanting to play for each other and enjoying their football and that is what we want for us and for the fans.”
After a difficult start to the season, the signs are very encouraging and once again, Lee Donafee shows what a breath of fresh air he is.
He is an impassioned man, an impassioned manager who is always wanting the best out of the team.
“When I am down after a defeat, I am really down. But when we win, I am on a real high. But we know that nothing is decided yet and we have to keep going.”
