We may take time to gel

For the last two or three seasons we've had very quiet summers. Last season we signed Rush and the previous one we got Spink. After the poor performances last season the club have gone for a major rebuilding programme both on and off the field. The new stand is unlikely to be finished in time for the first match but is clearly well under way and looks very impressive. The seating of both Paddocks is completed and the ground has a much more modern look. On the field we started rebuilding before the end of last season with Williams, Ryan and Barrett all arriving. Only Barrett went straight into the first team. He took a few games to feel his way into league football but showed plenty of promise despite being thrown into a struggling side. Also Williams in particular has shown good form pre-season and must have a good chance of becoming a first team regular. He looked a commanding figure in the first half versus Bolton, though he did fade away in the second.

Over the summer we've made further signings up front (third year running) in Lowe and Stevens. Both have fine goalscoring records from earlier on in their careers but there must be a question mark against them as both are near the end of their careers. Lowe looks to be the more creative player with Stevens more of a poacher. It's been some time since (apart from Carl Griffiths on loan) we had a real poacher and provided they don't prove to be over-the-hill like Rush was, could well be a good combination. The most obvious problem last season was our goalkeeper. Cartwright made more mistakes last season than Marriott made in his whole career. Dearden has had some outstanding displays against us for Brentford in the past. He is an excellent shot-stopper and will be a huge improvement. Provided he can deal competently with crosses we should be pretty solid at the back.

I'm less convinced about the midfield. Phillips is a very hard-working, 100% player. He also has more ability than he is often given credit for and I'm glad to see him back. However, we don't seem to have replaced Ward. In Phillips, Owen and Williams we have plenty of battle and Barrett will give us a bit more subtlety but I don't see anyone with the vision and passing ability of Ward. That means we will probably have to rely on feeding our front-two and relying heavily on them to create space. Another alternative may be to play two holding midfielders and two wingers. With the influx of strikers Connolly should now be able to return to the left wing and with Chalk or Gibson on the right the side would at least have a nice balance about it. Against some of the better sides though, I fear our two midfield players may get overrun since they would be outnumbered most of the time. This is what happened when we first arrived in this division and ultimately led to the one-winger system we've had ever since.

So what will the team look like this season? Clearly Dearden will be first-choice 'keeper. Right-back will be Macca with good competition from Ryan. Carey will be one of the first names on the teamsheet with Ridler and Spink fighting for a place alongside him. It may be horses for courses here; Spink against big kick-and-rush sides but Ridler for most matches due to his extra mobility. Left-back will be between Hardy and Brace once again. This is the weak point of the defence in my view. Brace is good going forward but can get caught out. He's probably too attacking if we play with a left winger. Hardy is hopeless in the opposition's half and hasn't shown his best form for about three seasons. Midfield is the hardest to predict. With both potential right wingers injured it looks like we'll at least start the season with a one (left) winger system. Connolly out wide with probably Phillips and Barrett central. I'd go for Owen on the right of the midfield-three to try to give us some width on that side - perhaps also try to get Macca overlapping. Upfront I expect to see Lowe and Stevens. Both players are capable of getting goals and hopefully they'll prove they've still got a couple of good seasons in them yet. The cover hear is youthful but with plenty of potential with Roberts, Edwards and possibly Faulconbridge the main competition.

With seven or eight new squad members and the team likely to contain four or five of them it may take time to gel and hopefully the crowd will show a little patience as the new arrivals adjust. With the strength in depth upfront and Connolly back out wide there should be a good chance of some goals and providing we can be creative and controlled enough in midfield I think we will be back in the top half of the division and in with a chance of a play-off spot once again.