Woodbridge Town have never had it so good

With a virtually fully-fit first-team squad it is a case of who to leave out of his Ridgeons League Premier Division starting line-up for the Woodpeckers boss.

“I have got four or five players sitting on my bench who I could start with. Paul Berry, Paul Hart, Darius Laws and Ben Seaman were all on the bench last week.

“Woodbridge have never been in that position before, in the past it has been a case of two or three players who potentially could start plus fringe players or under-18s. Having everyone fit causes its own problems because everyone wants to play in every game,” he said.

Since defeating now-relegated Great Yarmouth Town 8-1 away on New Year’s Eve, Woodbridge have won three, lost four and drawn one, with only last Saturday’s 2-0 win against FC Clacton being decided by more than one goal.

Scopes said: “Defensively we have got stronger, and are not conceding as many goals. We have only let in 48, and it is nice having a plus goal difference.

“We are ticking over, but we are not as consistent as we should be. Anybody who is consistent will be in the top three, but even the top teams are not as consistent as in previous years. There are no teams you fear playing - anyone can beat anyone - which makes for a good league.

“Our main objective at the start of the season was to stay in the league. You never know what is going to happen, so I never predict where we are going to finish, unlike some managers.

“Once we knew we were going to be safe, it is a case of trying to win as many matches as we can to finish as high as we can, and me being me, to win matches in the right way. I have not been very happy with the way we have played and won some games.”

Woodbridge, who finished tenth last season, currently sit 11th with 47 points, and Scopes said: “We have got eight games left so there are 24 points available, meaning we could end up with a maximum of 71 points.

“A top-six finish would be brilliant, but it will be very difficult to finish above seventh or eighth, although unlike the Premier League you don’t get any more money the higher you finish!”

This afternoon Woodbridge travel to Haverhill Rovers, and Scopes said: “They are on the same points as us. It will be a good game. I know (Haverhill manager) Peter Betts well - we have been on courses together - and he tries to get his teams to play the right way. We beat them earlier in the season, so perhaps they will be looking for revenge.”