IT hasn’t been the best of starts to the season for Warrington Town, but there are enough signs to hint at a positive campaign in the Evo-Stik Premier League.
Had they been able to finish glorious chances in the two draws against Stalybridge and Bamber Bridge over the weekend, they would be sat joint top of the pile.
As it is, they are sat in 12th place on five points in what is looking like being an incredibly competitive campaign.
Usually it’s six or seven games before you can determine the runners and shakers in the division, though you may have to wait beyond 10 games before you get a picture this term, such is the number of teams vying for the promotion spots.
After last season’s play-off disappointment, the Yellows had to cut cloth accordingly which has resulted in several players going elsewhere.
Those that have remained have taken pay cuts to stay at the club, and it’s that level of commitment that needs to build amongst the new players in the squad to help take the club forward under the stewardship of Paul Carden.
The individual quality of the players signed is unquestionable. The back four has almost instantly solidified itself as the Yellows’ biggest asset, despite all four being new signings – albeit Mitch Duggan having played for the club before.
Adam Hughes at left back has looked a useful addition, while Luke George and Mark Roberts have fitted in effortlessly as you would expect from players of their pedigree.
It has again been at the other end where the Yellows have been let down, though Richard Brodie has looked a menace, he hasn’t yet been able to break his duck.
Losing Jamie McDonald shortly before the new campaign hasn’t helped the Yellows in terms of variation up front and having a runner to work the channels, though the long-awaited debut of Jack Mackreth will hopefully provide a glimpse of the solution to that problem.
Robbie Evans in midfield looks like a more than competent footballer, and he just needs to start demanding the ball more and dictating the play, as we saw Sean Williams do so often last season.
It was the budget cuts, as well as a desire to play at a higher level, that saw Williams depart, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him play in a Yellows shirt again at some point in the future, such was his importance to the systems Carden likes to employ.
Despite his half-time withdrawal on Monday, James Caton has arguably looked like the Yellows’ biggest threat on the ball and Dylan Vassallo’s potential is unquestionable, it’s just the execution that he now needs to prove to Carden and the fans.
The competitiveness of the league may well work in the Yellows favour, enabling them to still be in reach of the top by the time the new team gels together.
Players and fans just need to stay calm and be patient while it comes together, and put trust in the process that delivered a terrific run in the middle of last season that meant a play-off spot was confirmed comfortably.
They need goals though, and what better time to start than this Saturday’s trip to North Ferriby.
Would love to hear from you on what you want to see in this weekly column, so leave a comment below or drop me a message on Twitter @jdgsport.
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May Be include a spotlight on a player and what their day job is?