RYMAN ONE NORTH: Great Wakering Rovers manager Dan Trenkel has no plans to hang up his boots just yet...but is hoping his players continue to perform and keep him out of the team.

Trenkel has been reduced to only six starts and six substitute’s appearances so far this season – partly due to the added demands of being a manager at Ryman Division One North level but also because of the way his players have risen to the challenge.

Rovers have lost only one of the last six matches, climbing out of the relegation zone in the process, and Trenkel says he has felt the added rigours of playing at a higher level.

“This is the first year I have really felt it,” said Trenkel. “I am in my third year as manager now and playing as well has taken its toll.

“I have to deal with a lot of stuff off the pitch as well and have to do other bits and bobs during training now so that is easier on the body.

“But this is the first season I feel I don’t have to play to help the players. The boys can do the job without me on the pitch and they have really stepped up to the mark.

“As such I won’t be in the squad for this weekend’s match at Ware in the FA Trophy.

“We always say here, if you play well you keep your spot. I am not going to say I am going to hang up my boots but I hope they keep me out of the side.

“It’s not the end quite yet.”

Trenkel has played more than 400 games for the club but saw his side struggle in the early weeks of the season, only recording their first home win last weekend.

And he says his players’ physical condition is peaking after being overrun in the early weeks.

“The improved fitness levels are a big factor,” he said. “We struggled a lot at the start of the season, but the levels were poor despite a strong pre-season.

“But we have come on noticeably since then and are competing in all the games we play.

“It was always going to be tough at the start of the year. Aside from Aveley we played the top eight sides in the league in the opening weeks.

“This was the period that we were going to pick up points. We need to be challenging the teams we are playing at the moment, but have two very important league games coming up (against Wroxham and Dereham Town).”

Trenkel also had kind words for Tom Ranger, who has scored important goals against Waltham Abbey and Heybridge Swifts in recent weeks.

“He didn’t have a pre-season so we are bringing him in slowly,” said the Rovers boss. “But this is his first season at this level having joined from Hullbridge so we need to be patient. He is a great link between midfield and attack and will be a big player for us as the season continues.”