Pic: Andy Nunn
NOT every club is brave enough to say they want to be Non-League's answer to Barcelona, but if the proof of the pudding is in the eating, Carshalton Athletic fans are certainly having their fill.
Under new rookie manager Peter Adeniyi, the Robins are flying in the Ryman South – the trend having already been set for promotion from Step 4 for clubs boasting 3G pitches. Out of the four teams who went up to the Ryman Premier last term, three play on plastic.
Adeniyi, who still turns out every week at the age of 36, wants the run of success for sides playing on artificial surfaces to continue after glory for Worthing, Harlow and AFC Sudbury last year.
The rest will be wondering who can stop Carshalton after they hammered hapless Godalming 10-0 last Monday night.
Already 7-0 ahead at half-time, they hit double figures before the 70th-minute mark. It was their 37th goal already this season – much more of that and they will have their first title since 2003.
Adeniyi, the former Dulwich and Eastleigh midfielder, says he got the job by selling chairman Paul Dipre the dream of a team playing just like the Spanish superstars.
The new boss said: “In my interview I told the chairman about how I see the side playing. I admire Barcelona very much and I felt with the right tools we can try and replicate the style of football they play.
“Thankfully he didn't laugh me out of the room! As it turned out, he wanted the exact same thing – he wants to be entertained. We both agree football is about enjoyment.
“We want the players to have fun and if we can carry on playing this style of football then we have every chance of having a good season together.”
The 3G pitch is helping matters, the surface faster and the true run of the ball aiding their easy-on-the-eye passing. It's been years of struggle and mid-table malaise for Carshalton, but a change is in the air.
“It's a plus, that's for sure,” the player-manager said. “Not just in terms of the pitch quality, but it helps clubs avoid a fixture backlog – that's vital.
“I don't think it's a coincidence that three clubs who went up at our level last season play on this. When some clubs have three games a week to squeeze in and the one who has 3G are just playing at weekend, it helps.”
