By Matt Badcock
Dino Maamria might claim he doesn't have a magic wand but his Nuneaton?Town are certainly pulling rabbits from the hat these days.
Maamria's Boro are the division's in-form team after seven wins and a draw from their last eight games, including victories against promotion chasers Harrogate Town, Spennymoor and, on Tuesday night, Stockport County.
It keeps his managerial winning record over 50 per cent and has seen his side climb out of the relegation zone and start looking up the table after he took over in October when they were second bottom.
“The pressure on managers now when they get a job, everyone expects them to turn it around like they've got a magic wand,” said the former Northwich Victoria and Southport boss.
“Obviously I haven't got a magic wand, but you've got to manage expectations.
“A team is where they are for a reason – that reason might be deeper than it seems. So you've got to go in and find out everything. Galvanise the squad, enhance what's in there, make the best out of it and try to get another 10-15 per cent out of every individual.
“If you do that then you get the buy-in from the players and then you can implement your philosophy, the way you want to play football. That's how I see it.”
Maamria was assistant to current Barnet boss Graham Westley at Stevenage, Preston and Newport County and believes he has the perfect grounding to lead Boro's success further.
“I'm quite experienced in terms of management,” he said. “I've been doing it for ten years – I'm probably one of the most qualified managers in Non-League football! I am where I am.
“People tell me I should be in the Football League, but I've got to earn my right to be in the Football League – and I will.
Model
“We are at the top of the form table and we can kick on – that's what I'm telling the players. Just keep improving every game and see where we are at the end of the season.
“We've got plenty of time yet, we've got big matches coming up and hopefully if I keep my squad together – no injuries – then I'm very optimistic.”
Nuneaton's model is to offer youngsters released by League clubs full-time football and, with some experienced players around, build them back up for a return to the pro game.
Doing that in the ultra-competitive Step 2 division isn't easy, but Maamria believes his group realise how achieving together can help fulfil their individual ambitions.
“We've got ten weeks of the season to go so we'll give it our best shot and hopefully get in a good position,”?he added. “If we're successful as a team, then we'll be successful as individuals as well and all get what we deserve.
“It's important we don't get carried away if we win and we have to keep focusing on the process.”
*This article originally featured in The @NonLeaguePaper which is available every Sunday and Monday
