As soon as last season ended I knew that we’d be losing our Captain, I also had a feeling our top scorer from the last couple of seasons would be off and with a few guys feeling age and creaking joints creeping in on a more regular basis, I did, at times, wonder whether we’d be able to field a team let alone push on again.

I started my search for players almost as soon the season finished (early bird catches the worm, cream of the crop… etc.), set up a couple of sessions to have a look at players and started pre-season relatively early to take a look at further additions.It’s always good to have your decisions vindicated. In the end we only officially lost Bella (captain) and Sandle (top scorer). The guys who have come in are younger, hungry, willing to listen and play the right way.

Our first friendly on Sunday provided a test against a team a division below ourselves. With 4 new players in the squad and 1 who only played once last season, I was expecting a learning curve similar to last season’s early encounters. But I was pleased to see the triangles, pass and move and general play significantly improved. I know it’s a friendly and I’m not getting carried away but the signs are very promising. 2 Paul Dodimead goals (both well taken following decent build up play) saw us to a 2-1 win.

Bearing in mind we were missing up to 5 players who would be pushing for starting places, I’m starting to feel like something could really spark us this season.We need to be more clinical in a variety of areas, our final ball sometimes needs to be better, quicker and in some cases just need to happen. When opportunities present themselves to shoot we have to taken them and make them count.

Defensively, we can’t keep dropping deeper and deeper as the game wears on. I accept that at times we have to drop to soak up some pressure but we don’t need to stay there for the remainder of the game. Last season it lost us points, it’s not something we can afford to do again if we are going to have a successful season.

There were multiple changes over the course of Sundays game, so people I got to see in multiple positions, some played in ‘foreign’ positions and some played in there regular roles.

NAME - Mins - Positions

Ian Dodimead – 70/20 – GK/CBMade 3 very good saves and got lucky once or twice. But could be his new “rest” position in the absence of regular no.1 Butters.

Mark Fletcher – 60 – RB - DebutA decent first outing, offered pace at fullback and a willingness to get forward when able.

Liam Callaghan – 30/30/10 – CB/RB/CMSteady as ever at both defensive positions and looked more comfortable going forward than previously seen.

Neil Dodimead – 20/70 – GK/CB Very little to do in goal, but made numerous impressive tackles at the back.

Kris Hart – 30/40 – LB/CMPerformed as expected. Calm at the back and kept things moving in CM.

Joe McFarlane – 90 – CM Never stopped running, kept the ball moving with ‘give and go’s’

Eddie Allen – 30/60 – CM/CB - DebutLooked strong in CM but started to run out of steam after 30 mins. Dropped to CB and looked very impressive. Strong in the air and composed on the floor.

Simon Brett – 70/20 – AM/CM - DebutGood on the ball, worked back when needed and created space for others. Needs to shoot more when the opportunities arise.

Andy Bajomee – 80/10 – LW/RWSpent most of the game being kicked by the opposition fullback. Just needs to be more direct when chances open up for delivery or shots.

Paul Dodimead – 80/10 – RW/LW2 goals and denied a hat trick by a couple of decent saves by the opposition keeper.

Jon Soderberg – 90 – CF - Debut2 assists and harassed the backline constantly. Needs games to sharpen up still.Jerry Finch – 60 – LBRarely lost possession and looks comfortable wherever he plays.

With the likes of Scott Winton, Dan Hawes Raphael Gure, Simon Nicholl, James Hoyle and David Butters still to come back into pre-season for the next friendly against Hockering on the 14th August and the return of Ross Coombes and Ben Wood at the start of the season competition for places will be fierce and no one is guaranteed a place.