Encouraging signs earn Lockwood '˜extra time' at Guiseley

The 34-year-old former Doncaster Rovers and Oldham Athletic defender was handed the interim post following the recent sacking of Mark Bower and while it has failed to yield an upturn in terms of breaching the Lions’ winless streak thus far, Rogerson says that positive signs have been detected.

After last weekend’s 4-1 home loss to Bromley, Guiseley were much improved in their 1-0 televised Bank Holiday Monday loss at National League leaders Tranmere Rovers, with the performance at Prenton Park having given them something to build on for the weekend home game with Braintree at Nethermoor.

Rogerson says that the club have had plenty of applications for the vacant post, but he admits that the vast majority have arrived from the ‘usual suspects’ with a number of ‘serial applicants’ having thrown their hats into the ring.

For the time being, Lockwood will be given the opportunity to further press his claims for the permanent position, Rogerson says.

“It is looking like he will take the next couple of games,” said Rogerson. “He has a lot of good ideas and we will see how we go on Saturday.

“Coming away from Tranmere was actually quite encouraging as we pushed them and gave them a game and we will have a look at the next couple and see where we go from there.

“There were certainly some positives to take from Monday. We could have gone there and got totally embarrassed on the TV and while it was not the best of games, we set our stall out well to contain a side who are top of the league and obviously going for it to get back.

“We have also had a couple of appearances from academy lads which is really encouraging and hopefully we can build on that and see where we go from there really.

“The second season is always difficult. You have the momentum that carries you through from the first one and from then on, it can be tough and you must set your stall out to make a decent fist of it.”

For his part, despite being a relative novice, Lockwood says that he is enjoying the dug-out duties entrusted to him and is pleased with the response of the players, even if the club are still propping up the table with no points from seven matches thus far.

Lockwood, who made several changes for the Tranmere game said: “I left a couple of guys out and they were actually really unfortunate.

“But, for a mixture of reasons, I felt that was the right team to go with.

“People will not always agree with you, but I decided that was the team to go with on that particular night.

“You live or die by your decisions and while I don’t like losing, as a performance, I thought that it wasn’t bad and I was quite happy and proud.

“We went 1-0 down at the league leaders and we kept our shape and gave ourselves a chance and that was good after Saturday’s game.

“I will try and do my best to help out and put things in place that will last; whether I am here for five days or five years.

“I can only go about my business in the manner that I believe and what I see as the best way.

“Hopefully, there has been some improvements in certain areas in my time so far and let’s hope they continue.”