STEVE BENNETT

@ sargeantbennett

Last season was truly awful – as bad as any in my 40 years of support. If it could go wrong, it did. Things can only get better, as D: Ream once sang... This season will be different because it surely can’t be as bad! Just winning a few games will be an improvement.

Our key player will be Chris Long [ above]. If he gets the goals, then we will be there or thereabouts.

Our most underrated player is teen talent Connor O’riordan, a top flight player of the future. He’s so assured at the back, belying his tender years. I’ve got shoes older than him. The thing my club really gets right is the promotion of youth. More often than not, our players are literally ‘ ours’.

Look out for loads of our youngsters, as the latest batch appears to be very decent. Welsh defender Zac Williams, 18, is the pick of the bunch. I’m least looking forward to playing

Salford. I don’t subscribe to the bought success model such as theirs. # Plastic. The player I’d happily drive to another club is Madger Gomes, but I could fit another three into my car...

Fans think our ground is a proper ground, though lopsided with the massive stand dwarfing the others. The one change I’d make would be a return of the home supporters to the ‘ Ice Cream Van stand’, or the ‘ Popular Side’ as it’s known to us older fans. The active player I’d love to have

back is Ashley Westwood at Burnley. He’s cultured in midfield and a good lad, to boot.

The opposition player who grinds my

gears is Swindon’s Harry Mckirdy. Nobody needs to ask why, do they? The pantomime villain will be Harry Mckirdy! Always, always Harry Mckirdy. The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is that he [ Alex Morris, below] has to prove himself, having been appointed from within. The first months will be crucial. If he left, he should be replaced by former Crewe player Justin Cochrane, a highly rated coach who recently became Brentford’s head of coaching.

Fans think our owners are genuine supporters; local people who have the club at heart.

We’ll finish 8th. Any better than that and we will have had a good season.

FFT VERDICT

17TH

Poor recruitment resulted in the Railwaymen being relegated with a whimper – Long was the only hit in their last two transfer windows. Morris must pick up the pieces and it won’t be an easy fix, although signing Courtney Baker- Richardson and Conor Thomas is a good start.