Stuart Cash hasn't yet joined the contest to be Aldershot's next manager, but already things are being run differently at the Recreation Ground.
The caretaker manager has switched training from Tuesdays to Mondays, so that he can do the rounds of mid-week matches and see as much football as possible.
"I have revamped our scouting system for this purpose," he said. "The manager should be able to go out on Tuesdays and see the players he is interested in."
He wants two extra scouts to work alongside the long- serving Eddie Larkham.
A well-travelled defender from his Football League days, Cash, not surprisingly, is keen to develop a solid back-up from the reserves.
While he is in charge, squad players not currently in the first team will be expected to turn out for the reserves. That was not always the case during George Borg's time at the club.
"The reserves should be a feeder for the first team. We have some excellent young players in our reserves and youth – Martin Kuhl and Simon Pullen are doing a good job. Having some more experienced players in the side can only help the reserves."
Cash's playing days are not far behind him. A pleasant, quietly-spoken man, Aldershot fans remember him as a rugged, very able defender, with a fearsome shot, before he concentrated on coaching and tactics as assistant to Borg.
He served his apprenticeship at Wolves, had three years at Nottingham Forest, where he came under the influence of Brian Clough, and then played for Rotherham, Chesterfield and Brentford.
He was skipper of Chesterfield when, in 1992, they drew 4-4 with Liverpool in a Worthington Cup tie, having led 2-0.
Cash also served under Martin O'Neill at Wycombe and was in the 1991 side that beat Kidderminster in the FA Trophy final.
For a defender, Cash has a purist's approach to the game. "I like to see a team build from the goalkeeper. I want the ball on the ground and the midfield to be creative in feeding the ball to the forwards."
He has asked Stafford Browne to play a more direct role – to get the ball in the back of the net. Two goals from the team's top scorer was gratifying and Cash was also pleased with the contribution of Richard Gell. "He's had a frustrating time this season, but Richard is a good player. He's very energetic and covers the whole pitch. He scored an excellent goal on Saturday."
Cash has wide contacts in the game and he says he found chairman Karl Prentice and the directors supportive when he suggested signing a new player. The upshot is that Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock, a friend of Cash, has agree to Mark Ward joining Aldershot on loan – initially for a month.
Cash has not yet applied for the manager's job, sensibly deciding to see how things work out in his caretaker spell.
"First I want to gain the respect of the players, fans and directors," he says. "We've had two great results, but let's see how the other games go.
"I have confidence in my own ability and it could be that I will want the job."
If he keeps stringing the wins together, it might be difficult for Aldershot not to give him one of the biggest jobs in non-League football.



