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Back to back promotions see's us back to the very minimum level this club deserves to be, and although it has been a fantastic achievement, and an enjoyable one for the most part, we can't live on the success, it's now time for us to show why we warrant being at this level, as we are certainly not here to make up the numbers.

Pre-season has given us a reasonable platform to build from, it goes without saying that having the first three games called off due to the weather didn't help our preparations for, as we weren't able to give good accounts of ourselves against Burton & Dagenham due to little match fitness but following on from these games I think generally we have performed encouragingly and put in some good team and individual performances.

We are in doubt this season will be a stern test for us, but what we do possess throughout the squad is a wealth of experience at step 4, and for those having not played at this level before they certainly possess the ability to do so. I felt last year the jump from Step 6 to the Midland Alliance was a big one, as will be mirrored I'm sure with the jump to the Evo-Stik, but as we have shown time and time again, we are better suited when playing against a better quality of opposition, and invariably perform better ourselves. For a successful campaign we will have to be very tight defensively, and not give away sloppy type goals that perhaps we have been guilty of in the past, and if teams are going to score against us we have to make them work hard to do so, of course we will have to score goals as well, but that's something I feel very confident in us being able to create the opportunities through our midfield and wide options, with four very capable goal scoring centre forwards leading the attacking line.

It is true testament to the squad that the management has felt it necessary to bring in only a few additions for the new season, but I've been highly impressed with the new faces added to the squad. Matt Roome and Dan Douglas add a different dimension to what looks a very strong defensive unit, as does Craig Attwood into the midfield, it's just unfortunate that he picked up a slight knock against Ilkeston, which restricted his pitch time during pre-season. Possibly the most exciting of the new additions for me is Lavel White, as he looks like a very good addition, who seems an intelligent player with and without the ball and he has fitted well in the dressing room with a very likable personality. I'm looking forward to seeing how he fares during the season as I feel he could be an important player for us to match the creative instinct the Gooders gives us on the other side.

I hope you enjoyed these notes as I hope you all thoroughly enjoy today's encounter, and thank you for your support not only today, but especially over the past three seasons, where it's meant more to us players than you realise.


Gaz