The Iron are set to make their return to the National League this weekend, aiming to make a better fist of things than when we tumbled out of the division embarrassingly two years ago, writes Alex Cole.
Times have changed for the better, though, and we’ve become a team used to winning again over the past two seasons. We’ll have to use every bit of that experience to be competitive this year. When it comes to setting expectations for the year, first and foremost, we have to find a way to be competitive and fight for enough points to see us clear of the relegation zone.
This is not being negative; it’s about adopting a sense of realism and understanding that we’re going from playing predominantly semi-pro teams to professional ones. In recent seasons, the likes of AFC Fylde, Kidderminster, Chorley, and Kings Lynn have all made instant returns to the National League North following promotion, so we must respect that there is a gap between the divisions.
In a bid to try and bridge the gap, The Iron have added a smattering of National League experience to an already relatively experienced side. Defenders Brandan Horton and Jéan Belehouan arrive from Gateshead, and attacker Billy Chadwick arrives from York. The recruitment this summer has been solid, if unspectacular, and it could be argued a lot of these signings are calculated gambles rather than proven players, which is perhaps an indication of the limited budget Andy Butler is operating with.
Indeed, many of the players signed didn’t play much football last season. Rory Watson featured seven times for York, and Brandan Horton featured 24 times for Chesterfield and Gateshead.
Returning Oli Rose played 12 times for the Iron, and Jéan Belehouan played 25 times for Gateshead. Oli Ewing played 18 times for Buxton, Billy Chadwick played 20 times for York (mainly off the bench), and Dubem Eze appeared 30 times for Chorley and Halifax. Only “bagsman” Dec Howe completed a full season for semi-pro Gainsborough Trinity, and we await to see if he can make the big step up.
This is not a criticism of the players, as they may well go on to all play a part in a successful season. This is just an indication that we’ve had to take punts on players who have not played much football recently, and with that comes a huge risk.
Another huge risk we’re taking is the decision to promote Maison Campbell to number one goalkeeper following the departure of Ross Fitzsimons to Northampton Town. Campbell has struggled at times during pre-season, and I feel we are taking a massive decision to give him the gloves to start the season, one that could ultimately backfire. We’ve been down this road before with inexperienced goalkeepers, and each one has struggled, so there’s a feeling that it could happen again.
However, manager Andy Butler has earned some trust and respect following promotion, and we must back him with his judgment and hope that it comes off. It would appear that Butler is shaping up to start the season with a preferred 3-4-2-1 formation, which he has been trialing throughout pre-season.
Of course, fans will remember that this time last season, Butler opted to start the season with a similar formation, which then went on to start the campaign so well before being forced to switch to a 4-3-3, which saw us get over the promotion line.
Breaking down the squad that started in the final pre-season outing at Worksop, Oli Rose returns on a permanent deal from Peterborough in what is an impressive capture for the club. Rose looked committed and capable last season and is the type of signing I like to see the club make. At 19, Rose has plenty of room for improvement, and a successful season this year could well see him sold on, cashing the club some money.
He has experience alongside him in the backline in the shape of new club captain Andrew Boyce and Will Evans. Both Boyce and Evans provide sheer physicality in the backline, although there is a risk that they could be caught out against more mobile frontlines.
Joe Starbuck looks set to continue his starting position at right wing-back. He settled in okay last season in the midst of a promotion battle, and although unproven at this level, he should do okay once again. It looks as if it’s a toss-up between Brandan Horton or Tyler Denton to start the season, as both look evenly matched.
Midfielder Oli Ewing arrives and looks a capable technician in the centre of midfield and could provide United with some much-needed quality with his passing and close control. He’ll likely be partnered by the energetic Kian Scales, and we all know what he’s capable of by now. Although it is interesting that Scales dropped to the bench for the back end of last season, he looks firmly in the first-team picture again.
A lot of emphasis will once again be on “magic man” Callum Roberts to stay fit while scoring and creating chances. Roberts dazzled with Notts County last time he was in this division, scoring 16 goals in 37 appearances, and will no doubt be amongst the division’s top performers again.
Alfie Beestin was one of the standout players last season, notching 8 goals, and will likely join Roberts behind Danny Whitehall in attack. Whitehall averaged 1 goal every 3.5 games for Eastleigh and Maidenhead at this level, so a similar or better return will give us a boost as well.
Andy Butler will be tested again, having risen to the challenge of promotion last campaign. This is now a different set of circumstances in which he will have to fight even harder for each point, and I hope we will give him the time necessary to adapt to a new league.
All in all, the squad is okay and will be heavily reliant on key attacking players staying fit if we’re to have a good chance of retaining our National League status. We will also be reliant on our home form. We have made Glanford Park a fortress for opposition teams to come and visit in recent seasons, and we must do everything possible to continue that into this year. There’ll be ups and downs throughout the season, but with a bit of luck and belief, we can hopefully use this season as a springboard for future years.
It’s well documented that it’s been a turbulent period for the club and that we don’t really do anything other than a promotion or relegation battle, but we have a chance to establish ourselves at this level while creating a sense of stability within our league standing.
We have to do that first before looking to build again and try to make an attempt to return to the Football League.
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