LAURIE MARTIN

@ lauriemartin263

Last season was arguably the best in the club’s 133- year history. We set an unprecedented standard in our first 30 matches and it looked like we might smash league records. In the end, we made it ‘ interesting’ by clinching the League Two title in dramatic fashion on the last day.

The big talking point is head coach Rob Edwards departing for Watford. Nobody can begrudge him moving on to a much bigger club, though a lot of supporters were disappointed by the manner of his exit. This season will be different because it’s our first ever campaign at this level. Forty years after winning promotion from the Hellenic League and getting ready to play Dudley Town, Bromsgrove Rovers and Minehead, we’re preparing for games against Ipswich, Derby and Sheffield Wednesday.

Our key player will be Jamille Matt [ below] – our captain, our leader, who started in every game of the title win.

Fans think our owner is getting closer to his dream of taking Rovers into the Championship. Dale Vince is a Marmite character for many fans, but he gives his head coaches freedom and backing. You can’t argue with all of the progress made in the last decade. The one change I’d make would be getting rid of the new pink away strip. I won’t be happy unless we beat one of the big teams, even if it’s only once. The meltdown would be hilarious. I’m least looking forward to playing

Portsmouth. We could never get the better of Danny Cowley’s Lincoln side, losing all six matches against them. The pantomime villain will be

Accrington Stanley’s Harry Pell, who was a real wind- up merchant in his Cheltenham days. The thing my club really gets right is the recruitment. Director of football Richard Hughes has done a remarkable job in his four years, plucking youthful players from all over the place. He was nearly snapped up by Pompey in May.

The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is that new boss Ian Burchnall seems a good fit. He’s a highly- rated young coach who has had to work hard to get here, given his lack of playing career.

We’ll finish 17th.

FFT VERDICT

20TH

The League Two title- winners were prepared to lose key men, but any side would miss their manager and two star players ( Kane Wilson and Ebou Adams). Hughes’ continuity is vital: Burchnall, right- back Corey O’keeffe and midfielder Armani Little are all decent replacements.