Centre back Shane Pickering has paid tribute to Graham Normanton, saying his switch to senior football would not have happened so early in his career without the faith of his coach. Pickering came into first team reckoning last year and a string of eye-catching displays this season has been rewarded with a regular place in Inglewood United’s first eleven. However, the 20-year old believes none of it would have happened had it not been for Normanton. “Graham is the reason I’m playing senior football,” said Pickering. “Having a coach who believes in my ability and gives me opportunities is what drives me to be the best I can for this team.”
“Graham brings the best out of me by never letting me settle for second best. When I’m not performing he tells me – maybe not in the nicest of ways – but that’s what forces me to switch on, work harder and improve my standard,” added Pickering, a State youth team representative. “The way Graham has moulded the team this year so we function as a unit has been brilliant. He always wants to improve on some aspect of the team and this passion for the game rubs off on his players … even if we were at the top of the table he still wouldn’t take a foot off the pedal.”
An injury interrupted pre-season put Pickering behind the eight ball but the towering defender is now reaping the rewards of his hard work on and off the field of play. “Getting into the starting line-up was the most important thing for me, and now I’m there I want to stay,” said Pickering, who has started the last ten games. “I played the majority of last season as a defensive midfielder so it’s been a challenge playing centre half this year. I’m adapting and feeling more confident with every game, and I feel I can further progress my defensive capabilities and be an even greater asset for Inglewood.”
A solid defensive line has been crucial to Inglewood’s seven-game unbeaten league run and Pickering says his partnership with Scott Blackmore and Luke Martino is still some way from reaching maturity. “Luke, Scott and myself are developing a better understanding with each game and two clean sheets in three game shows how strong we can be,” said Pickering, who is soaking up all he can from Blackmore in particular. “Scott and I have worked hard in training to understand how one another play, and this has transitioned well onto the pitch. He definitely has natural leadership qualities and I look to him to guide me in the way I need to play.”
Pickering says he’s found the new challenge he was after with Inglewood, who he joined in 2012 following spells at English clubs Cambridge United and Gateshead. “I needed a new start at a new club and I feel I’ve improved massively as a player in the past couple of seasons, under Michael Garcia, Aldo Trinca and now Graham,” said the defender, who previously played for ECU Joondalup and the National Training Centre. “Inglewood has definitely evolved into one of the strongest clubs in the league. The club, as a whole, has a great vision and everyone on and off the field works hard to make this club the best in the state.”
04.06.14
