ANDY THURSTON

@ Broughtonm7

Last season was frustrating. We had a slow start but were in with a chance of making the play- offs right up until the final game of the season. The big talking point is the sacking of Gary Bowyer as manager. The fanbase was pretty split on him leaving and many thought he had more to give. This season will be different because we will have a more settled squad.

Our key player will be Ryan Watson, who has been superb in midfield since joining us in January.

Look out for attacking midfielder Kelly N’mai. [ below]. The 18- year- old is very good on the ball and has bags of pace.

The opposition player who grinds my gears is Port Vale’s James Wilson. I’ve never seen a player so uninterested when he was with us, but he’s some finisher when he can be bothered. The opposition player I’d love here is

Matty Stevens, terrific for Forest Green. Our most underrated player is

Jordan Turnbull. He never lets us down. Fans think our ground is fine for now. Any major improvements will probably wait with an imminent stadium move. The thing my club really gets right is pricing, from season tickets to away travel subsidisation. Fan engagement is improving, too. I’m least looking forward to playing

Harrogate Town.

The active player I’d love to have

back is Robbie Gotts at Barrow. He was great on loan to us from Leeds.

Fans think our owners are a little impatient and eager, but that’s a trait of winners. We couldn’t have dreamt for better owners than the Class of ’ 92. The one change I’d make would be improved social facilities for use in the week and throughout the year. The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is positive so far. Giving the opportunity to a young up- and- coming manager, in former Manchester United academy boss Neil Wood, is refreshing. If he left, he should be replaced by

Roy Keane, if it went pear- shaped early doors, but let’s try Wood first... The pantomime villain will be the referees. The standard must improve. I won’t be happy unless the club start selling pie and peas again! We’ll finish 3rd.

FFT VERDICT

6TH

In an otherwise subdued start to the Ammies’ summer, playmaker Elliot Watt will help the stylistic switch from Bowyer’s conservatism to Wood’s much more progressive methods. The coach will maximise existing personnel, especially if Brandon Thomas- Asante stays put.