Saints Boss Noble Is Back And Wants To Win Hearts Again

The St Albans boss - back at the club after a spell away at National League Wealdstone - says he'll be demanding big things from his side in the new season.

He oversaw a run to the Promotion Final in his last rein, something he's hoping to replicate again this time around by harnessing some fan power.

"They [the fans] want to win football matches," he told the club.

"We win football matches, and everybody is happy. You can’t please all the people all the time. You’d probably be able to find Manchester City fans who want Pep [Guardiola] out. I’m not comparing myself to them, but everyone has their own opinion.

"The fans have been part of the draw of me coming back to the club. There’s a bit of negativity but that’s just par for the course. But they turn up and support the boys.

"At National League South level, on average they’re one of the biggest attendances over the year. That’s a draw. People don’t want to be playing football or managing teams in front of one man and his dog. St Albans have a big fanbase and I think it’s building.

The Saints kick off their Vanarama National League South campaign on August 10, welcoming fancied Maidstone United.

Adamant he wants to impress, Noble says his side will entertain.

"I want the crowd to be excited when they come and watch us, I want us to play energetic, fast, free-flowing football.

"I want possession, of course, because you can’t score without it. The more you have it, the more chance you have of scoring. But I also want us to be a high energy, high work rate team – and that’s what you can expect."