Roach aims for playoffs

Former Reading and Southend player Neville Roach (pictured during training on Tuesday) was confirmed as new Blues’ boss in May.
Since then the 33-year-old has been busy building a new squad, with a number of first team players leaving, such as goalkeeper Paul Strudley and midfielder Scott Rees, who have both switched to rivals Hungerford, while a number of players have come in from Roach’s former club Hartley Witney.
Roach, who guided Hartley Witney to promotion to the Combined Counties League Premier League last term, has so far brought in five players from his old club, including top-scorer Ben Dillon.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Shaun Allaway, who moved from Reading to Leeds United for £2m in 1999, and brother Rickey, who plays central defence, have also be signed, as well as Abingdon United midfielder Adam Kingsbeer.
Roach has also confirmed that long-serving defender Paul Taplin will also be staying with the club
“He (Taplin) will be fighting for his place. Probably at left back,” Roach said. “There will be competition everywhere. Everyone will have to fight for their spot. Ideally I want two or three players for every position. It will keep everyone on their toes.
“I will need more bodies in if we’re going to challenge. I’m speaking to a few other players but I don’t want to reveal anything further at this stage.
“I’ll be taking each game as it comes this season, but I’m an ambitious young manager. I want at least to hit a playoff sport and have a nice cup run.”
Roach believes his coaching team will be key if Thatcham is to have a successful 2012-13 campaign.
Assistant manager Scott Tarr and player-coach Martin Williams have followed Roach from Hartley Wintney, with Phil Hoyland coming back to Thatcham as sports therapist.
Speaking about Williams, who made 127 appearances for Reading from 1995 to 2000, Roach said: “He’s got massive experience. He will be helping bring the youngsters through. He has already helped them and we’ve only had one training session.”
Roach has organised six pre season friendlies for the Blues this summer before the first league game scheduled for August 18.