Lots of reasons to be optimistic. We have an experienced squad which is pretty much the same as has done well in the last two seasons and a settled management team.
Louis Rogers is a very good shot stopper and has good distribution skills. Our two centre halves must be among the best in the league and hopefully Ryan Huckle will give added support when needed- possibly when Craig steps into midfield. Marcus and Ollie are two reliable full backs and Ollie's long throw is a threat.
Our midfield is very experienced apart from the promising Tom Chalmers, while Sam Hasler is a good addition.
Up front, Ben should be good for 20 plus goals while Kenny Pogue offers enthusiastic support. Lloyd Dawes would add quality if fit.
A few concerns- one for me is our style of play which is becoming very slow and pedestrian.
Opposition sides will target Louis's lack of height and free kicks and corners conceded will be a concern.
We will miss Jake Elliott's runs and crosses and we don't appear to offer much threat on the flanks (no Daniel or Lanre)
Lloyd Dawes's fitness-think he has recently had another op.
Lack of pace in the team.
Over reliance on Ollie's long throws especially as we are not the biggest up front.
Looking forward to the season which hopefully will be uninterrupted and will show we can pass and play good football in areas which hurt the opposition.
Been having similar thoughts on what the season may bring, Tim.
All round, I believe we will be up there with the best in the league but certainly would not go so far as to say we are nailed on Champions or necessarily favourites.
I actually didn't think we looked as good in those few early months of last season as we did in the season before when we were, at times, quite exceptional. I believe we never really replaced Lanre and Daniel from two years ago. Their direct approach regularly caused havoc and Ben reaped the rewards of their good work. I don't feel Kenny offers the same dribbling threat and goals may be a lot harder to come by than two years ago. I feel we will need to back up Ben's goals with plenty from midfield.
Losing Jake will be a big loss too. I was really sorry to see him go. However we should again be hard to break down at the back.
Like Tim, I hope we don't get too obsessed with our constant passing amongst the back four/keeper. It has value if by encouraging the opposition on we can create more space in midfield, but constant passing across the back when your opponents are just defending their final third is unproductive and pretty tedious to watch. This was the pattern of that rather dull first half at Sevenoaks. Wouldn't have minded if the sun had been out ! I'm all for a passing game and "keeping possession"....but let's try and do that in the middle and top third.
Don't mean to sound negative...just cautious of too much expectation on what will no doubt be another hard season with many close fought games.
COYU !
A bit worried about the coming season. Even though they were only friendlies we shouldn't be losing 5-1 to a county league side and we were totally outclassed by Carshalton. So really hoping my worries will be blown away after Saturday!
In the last three seasons NO side has targeted Louies lack of height we’ve lost one league game in three seasons took a team three leagues above (Ebbsfleet) all the way to penalties, Looked solid ,Yes we’ll miss Jake but plenty of positives to take forward
I’m hoping to see my home town team get off to a flyer and set the bar high, as in previous seasons. I’m also hoping that everyone stays safe and well and we can get through the season unscathed. The club deserves success, and long suffering fans like TBJ and Mick will be rewarded for their loyalty and patience. It would be great for Mick to munch his way through a season’s worth of chips with no major dramas. There will be bigger challenges ahead, so let’s get this season boxed off properly first. We should go into the season with confidence and ready to finally get out of this very ordinary league.
I haven't seen any of the pre season friendlies so I don't feel able to comment about how particular players might be shaping up. On the general issues, I agree with many of the points which Mick and Tim have made. I will feel more confident if we see more pace and width in the side - perhaps from Academy players establishing themselves in the first team. We do indeed still miss Lanre and Daniel - they allowed us to switch quickly from ball passing possession at the back to all out attack.
