WORCESTER City boss Carl Heeley admitted he would love to take to the field during the Blue & Whites’ festive derbies with Kidderminster Harriers.
The City chief said he would have loved to have turned back the clock and play in the clashes against a team he labelled ‘the best in the league’.
After Boxing Day’s clash at the Victoria Ground, City make the journey to their former landlords on New Year’s Day (3pm) and Heeley said he was looking forward to the derby.
“I’d love to be playing in it! Local derbies over Christmas in front of good crowds are always a highlight for me,” he said.
“We’re going up against a very good side, I have seen them a couple of times this season and been very impressed, for me they are the best team in the league.
“It’s going to be tough for us but they are going to be great occasions.”
The City boss also said a recent tweak in formation in the 1-1 draw against Gainsborough Trinty could be repeated during the remainder of the National League North campaign.
After starting the season with a 4-4-2, Heeley and assistant boss John Snape have been working on different formations.
The latest move saw City deploy Sam Oji, Graham Hutchinson and Tom Sharpe as the defenders in a 3-4-3 formation.
Heeley said the move was in response to Gainsborough’s own set-up and added: “It was the first time we have done it but you need to be flexible in the way you set up in this league.
“We look at who we are playing and we look at what we think are their strengths and weaknesses and tailor the personnel accordingly to give us the best opportunity to win the game,” he added.
Ahead of the derby, Heeley also praised the recent performances of skipper Danny Jackman in midfield.
“Danny is experienced, he keeps the ball well for you and is one of the players who always have time on the ball,” he said.
“Junior English is great, he complements Danny so well.
“You need a Junior English to have a Danny Jackman in the team because the number of tackles he wins is so important.”