Are we ready?
After today's disappointing result at Evesham, questions have to be asked whether Graham Turner has got the right combination of players to make a showing in the Conference this season.
Of course with so many new players it takes time to get everything right but United still look weak up-front. Neither trialists Steve Guinan or Andy Baird have looked that impressive and although GT continues to try Paul Parry as a forward that does not seem to be working either. Grant looks a better bet but with him suspended for the first three games it does not look good. Maybe GT has his eye on someone else. As he has not yet signed either Guinan or Baird, maybe one of them will be offered a game by game deal. There seems little point in offering either of them contracts on their showing to date. If only Scott Voice was fit and Grant was available!
Other than the up-front problem (which seems to be the same each season recently) the rest of the team looks more positive. In particular Matt Clarke and Jamie Pitman are linking well. Michael Rose and Danny Williams both seem useful signings; Rose looks quite dangerous on the left side at times and Williams quite skilful. Both should improve with more matches. The idea of a back three as opposed to four seems to be working but there is an argument that as the defensive record was so good with the 4-4-2 system used last season should it been changed? Andrew Tretton, who partners Ian Wright and Tony James, looked more comfortable today but the real test will come next Saturday with Conference opponents Farnborough Town.
Robert Purdie is another new signing who has the potential to be a useful squad member but may find it hard to command a regular place in the team when Ben Smith returns. Rob Sawyers also may not start when United are at full strength as there is likely to be real competition for the midfield places. If the forward positions are filled a space has to be made for Parry.
So who is going to be in the line-up for next Saturday? With the assumption that no other players are to be introduced the line up could look like this:
Baker, Wright, James, Tretton, Clarke, Rose, Pitman, Williams, Sawyers, Guinan, Parry.