We may scrape into the play offs like we did two seasons ago - but assuming it's more Ryman South in 16-17, who do we need to stay to build on what has surely been a far better season than we expected back in August? Many people were happy to see the end of the Walters regime and familiar faces back in charge - I certainly was. And it's ended up being a frustrating season too - because it soon became clear Garry and Danny had put together a decent squad and that frustration is based on the inconsistency of performance amongst 14 defeats - a number that doesn't lie. That squad was, in the end, good enough to have sorted a play off position a while ago.
96 goals - great, 60 conceded, not so good. Losing twice to 3 Bridges, twice to Carshalton but doing the double over the other big misfirers, Guernsey, superb at home to South Park, working their socks off at East Grinstead, utter depression at Faversham - so many ups and downs.
Who do we need out of the squad next season - what are the foundations? Josh Pelling (Joe Taylor), Razor, Ollie Rowe, Jack Walder (yes, Jack, if he can remove the red mist moments he can contribute hugely in defence) Richard Davies, Sam Crutwell, Simon Johnson (it'll be a huge bonus to keep him), Sam Cole, Sam Adams, Billy Medlock, Zac Attwood. Players well worth developing - Jack Maclean, Tyrell Richardson-Brown, Chris Cummings-Bart and Liam Wilson.
Yea - basically what we already have! Consistency is what we want - 75 goals scored and 40 conceded, half the number of defeats, the defence sorted and we'll be well on the way - assuming it's more of the same division next season.
All very well criticising Garry - but this is season one of his second spell and while some of the selectorial stuff left my head shaking - look what he did along the A259 at Langney Sports where a patient board gave him time to take a county league side to the Conference where he kept part time Eastbourne Borough for four seasons. And all the time that was happening, the stadium was being developed into one of the best semi pro grounds around.
What do others out there think of what players we need to hang onto for next season?
