New Barnoldswick boss Endrit Shehu is hoping his ‘high risk, high reward’ approach to football will pay dividends.

The Albanian has stepped up from first team coach to replace Matt Barnes and his first official game in charge of the NWCL Premier Division side is tomorrow’s FA Vase second round tie at Stocktown Town.

While the 29-year-old knows he has to address Barlick’s leaky defence, he says he will not move away from his desire to play attacking football.

“We have scored 21 goals in the league, just three fewer than league leaders Bootle so we already know how to play attacking football,” he said.

“But we have conceded 27 and that is why we are 15th in the table.

“That will be something we will look at but I love to play attacking football, I like the full backs to push up and support the attack.

“It’s high risk but it is high reward. It will just mean we have to make sure we score more goals than we concede!”

Shehu, who is studying for his UEFA ‘A’ badge, moved from his native Albania to Greece when he was 15-years-old and played semi professional football for Tsilivi FC.

He moved to England to study and he currently works at Burnley College where he is a personal trainer and also runs one of the college teams.

He also works with Preston North End Under 13s and with the Liverpool international academy.

He applied for the Barlick post before Barnes took up the role but was told he was not experienced enough and was offered the coaching role.

Now in the hot seat himself, he is working alongside the long-serving Matt Cavanagh, and preparing for tomorrow’s long trip to County Durham.

“Matt has been here for a long time and it is great to work with him, as I did last season,” said Shehu. “We are expecting a tough game tomorrow but I can’t wait to get going.”

In NWCL Premier Division, struggling Padiham – who have lost their last three league games – will be looking to get back to winning ways when they host Hanley Town.

In First Division North, AFC Darwen, who have conceded 16 goals in their last two league outings, entertain Cleator Moor Celtic.

Nelson welcome Daisy Hill and Bacup go to AFC Blackpool.