Glovers fan Sheridan Robins gives her thoughts…
The new season is nearly upon us – what have Yeovil fans got to look forward to?
A real fresh start. Relegation hurt and it hurt a lot but after five years of losing, we can now focus on a new league with a new manager and a new winning mentality to at least win more than we lose – something Yeovil fans have forgotten can happen!
It’s not been an easy time at Huish Park but there seems to be an impression that Darren Sarll is already making his mark.
Definitely. The results and performances will speak for themselves but he has come in, brought in some experienced players and ones he has worked with before. He is refreshingly honest in interviews and wants to play attacking football – that combination is a great way to get fans back on side.
You’ve been away from the National League since 2003 and it’s never easy slipping out of the EFL but what are you looking forward to the most?
New grounds and hopefully bigger home crowds. They were steadily declining but now we have a chance to make our mark on the National League. I think because of our huge history in Non-League – while we were devastated to go down, we don’t lack respect for the division. We had some great times in the Conference and hopefully we can create more great memories this season.
What’s been the most important bit of transfer business done over the past few months?
I think the capture of striker Rhys Murphy and defender Lee Collins. Murphy has been on our radar for a couple of years and we have not had a striker scoring lots of goals for a number of seasons and I think he is the man to change that. Collins has extensive EFL experience and I don’t think he will take any prisoners and in this tough league, that is crucial.
Who will be your one to watch coming kick-off?
Stuart Nelson. A goalkeeper of his calibre will win us points this season. He didn’t play much last season so this is a good chance for him to prove himself and he has had an impressive pre-season so far.
Who are the other sides to watch out for and could be in the promotion mix?
I think AFC Fylde will be up there and were unlucky to miss out last season. I also think Chesterfield will have learnt a lot from the previous campaign and look to be fighting to get back to the Football League.
What ground are you most looking forward to going to?
All of the new ones really and of course Torquay in the local (ish) derby. FC Halifax, Eastleigh and Maidenhead should be good away days – although we are going to be covering some miles this season!
And what game would you like to win more than any other?
It has to be Torquay United home and away! I am so pleased for Gary Johnson and the incredible job he has done once again but it is always nice to get one over on a former manager. It will be quite something welcoming him back to Huish Park though, as he orchestrated our title winning Conference season back in 2003.
But what opposition player would you most like to see in your side – and what makes him so good?
I must admit, my National League knowledge is pretty limited but I have been watching a lot of videos and listening to plenty of podcasts to get myself up to speed. I was particularly impressed with Solihull Moors last season and am sure they will have another good season. I would like a player like Jamey Osborne who has an eye for that crucial pass and can score goals as a replacement for our set piece specialist Tom James.
Let’s end with a tough one – where do you predict your team will finish next season?
I have been so wrong about this in the past but I am going to go for a sixth-place finish and a rollercoaster play-off ride! However, we need to be cautious that this is a tough league and we just need stability. To not be fighting relegation would be an incredible novelty after the past few years!
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