Chris Rawlinson feels that Spalding United could be back in the Evo-Stik NPL First Division South play-off picture next season – if he gets his summer recruitment right.
With the league expected to look a little different next season, Rawlinson feels that the Tulips, who finished 13th this time around, are one of many sides that can look to take advantage and aim higher next term.
And, although he was disappointed to finish the campaign with three defeats on the spin, the Spalding boss is happy enough with how the season panned out – especially after the much-publicised mid-season budget cuts.
“I’m obviously annoyed with how the season ended,” said Rawlinson. “I know we’d played 14 games in two weeks prior to that, but losing three on the bounce is never fun.
“I was disappointed, but sometimes you have to remember that the lads are semi-pro and our busy run took its toll on them. We did very well to get to 50 points and we have to be happy with 13th place in the end.
“The budget cuts ripped the heart out of the team a little. We had players looking to leave and others staying for less money.
“We lost a lot of goals out of the team and a bit of sparkle. So, by December, I made a decision to make us harder to beat. I openly apologise to the fans for some of the football we produced, but we did what we had to.
“My job now is to get the recruitment right in the summer – and that starts now. I think the decision will be a little diluted next season and we are one of many sides that will be thinking they can get in and among the play-offs if they get things right over the summer.
“My job is to add more goals to the team without losing the solid base we’ve developed. I certainly won’t be looking to go gung ho or make sweeping changes.”
Despite the season now being over, Rawlinson admits that he’s now entering an incredibly busy time for managers.
The next few months will see him attempt to convince the current squad to stay, while also aiming to get verbal agreements with transfer targets before the window for signing players opens. He hopes that have “a few weeks off” in July, but is already working on transfers.
