PAT Tynan admits he is no Arsene Wenger when it comes to coaching.But, with the aid of a few beers on training nights, the 34-year-old Capel Plough player-manager is gaining almost as much success as the famed Arsenal supremo.

Elvin King

PAT Tynan admits he is no Arsene Wenger when it comes to coaching.

But, with the aid of a few beers on training nights, the 34-year-old Capel Plough player-manager is gaining almost as much success as the famed Arsenal supremo.

Unbeaten in their last 12 Metaltec SIL games, the Plough have moved steadily up the Senior Division to put pressure on the title favourites.

They go into tomorrow's home match against Ipswich Athletic in fourth place, with striker Tynan revealing his training methods.

“We meet once a week and play an eight-a-side game under lights outside our pavilion,” said Tynan, who is in his sixth season in charge.

He has led them to the Suffolk Senior Cup final and to third place in the league last season, and added: “Coaching does not come into it.

“What can you do on one night a week with players who have been playing at senior level for several years? We have a run out to loosen the limbs - and then have a few beers.

“I am lucky to have a loyal bunch of lads who drink together and are happy to play for their village side.”

The one exception to the training schedule is goalkeeper Nick Hunt, who Tynan rates as the best in the league.

“Former Hadleigh United official and ex-goalkeeper Peter Hutchings does one-to-one coaching with Nick,” said Tynan, who sees tomorrow's game as a vital one.

“It will not be easy, but we need to keep our momentum going as we have a number of games coming up against the top sides.”

Tynan admitted to a special reason for wanting to at least equal last season's third place.

He said: “With respect to our neighbours Brantham, we want to stop them finishing in the top three and moving up to the Ridgeons League.

“The SIL needs clubs with facilities like Brantham. We are in the mix for the title, and will be hoping other clubs can do us a favour when they play the sides around us.”

Talented front-runner and ace marksman Ricky Thurlow is now back in Tynan's team, after scoring 25 goals in around a dozen games for the reserves, while the manager puts great store in his resolute back line of Miles Donovan, Matt Easton, Nick Albins and James Cocker.

Tynan said: “With the experience of my assistant Archie Arnold, Robbie Fuller and Nigel Bradford in midfield and Jamie Sandilands and Gary Collins up front we are equipped to collect the first silverware since I became manager.”

Leaders Melton St Audry's will surely beat Haughley United, who will be relegated if they don't win. Haughley finished runners-up last season, but lost manager Mark Barnard and all their players and have accrued just three points this term.

Grundisburgh and Brantham have joined Capel and St Audry's in pulling away at the top, and they have tough games against Stowupland Falcons and Stonham Aspal.